Tropical Storm Melissa is intensifying as it approaches hurricane strength, with forecasters predicting it could become a major hurricane by Sunday. The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall and potential life-threatening flooding and landslides to the northern Caribbean, particularly southwestern Haiti, where up to 35 inches of rain could fall. This has already resulted in at least three fatalities in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Currently, Melissa is located about 160 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. A hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica, while a watch is in place for Haiti’s southwestern peninsula. The storm is moving slowly west-northwest and could impact Jamaica early next week. Preparations are underway in Jamaica, with evacuation centers activated and food supplies ready for distribution.
The storm has already caused damage in the Dominican Republic, affecting the water supply for over 500,000 people and damaging nearly 200 homes. Melissa is the 13th named storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which is expected to produce an above-normal number of storms.
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