Individuals stroll alongside a avenue amid rain brought on by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Oct. 23, 2025.
Eddy Vittini | Reuters
Tropical Storm Melissa neared hurricane energy Saturday and was anticipated to quickly intensify this weekend, as forecasters warned of huge rainfall and life-threatening flooding and landslides within the northern Caribbean.
An astounding 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain was anticipated in southwest Haiti.
The erratic and slow-moving storm has killed at the very least three individuals in Haiti and a fourth individual within the Dominican Republic, the place one other individual stays lacking.
As much as 25 inches (64 centimeters) of rain was forecast for Jamaica and the southern areas of Haiti and the Dominican Republic by Monday, with as much as 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain potential throughout Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula, in accordance with the U.S. Nationwide Hurricane Middle.
“If these rains have been to happen, you are speaking about catastrophic flooding potential,” mentioned Jamie Rhome, the middle’s deputy director.
Melissa was situated about 155 miles (245 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 235 miles (375 kilometers) southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had most sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was slowly transferring west-northwest at 1 mph (2 kph), in accordance with the hurricane heart.
“Fast intensification is forecast to start over the subsequent 24 hours. Melissa is forecast to develop into a hurricane shortly and a significant hurricane by Sunday,” the middle added on Saturday.
Haitian authorities mentioned three individuals had died as a consequence of the hurricane and one other 5 have been injured resulting from a collapsed wall. There have been additionally studies of rising river ranges, flooding and a bridge destroyed resulting from breached riverbanks in Sainte-Suzanne, within the northeast.
“The storm is inflicting quite a lot of concern with the best way it is transferring,” mentioned Ronald Délice, a Haitian division director of civil safety, as native authorities organized strains to distribute meals kits. Many residents are nonetheless reluctant to depart their houses.
A hurricane warning was in impact for Jamaica and a hurricane watch remained in place for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti.
The middle of Melissa is anticipated to maneuver close to or over Jamaica early subsequent week, forecasters mentioned. Melissa was anticipated to develop into a significant hurricane by Sunday and presumably attain Class 4 standing by early Monday, U.S. forecasters mentioned. It’s forecast to hit japanese Cuba early Wednesday, the place as much as 12 inches (30 centimeters) might fall in some areas.
The Bahamas Division of Meteorology mentioned Melissa might convey tropical storm or hurricane situations to islands within the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early subsequent week.
Authorities in Jamaica warned that each one airports would shut inside 24 hours if a hurricane warning is issued. Greater than 650 shelters have been activated. Officers mentioned warehouses throughout the island have been well-stocked and hundreds of meals packages prepositioned for fast distribution if wanted.
“I urge Jamaicans to take this climate risk critically,” mentioned Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take all measures to guard your self.”
The storm has broken practically 200 houses within the Dominican Republic and knocked out water provide techniques, affecting greater than half 1,000,000 clients. It additionally downed timber and visitors lights, unleashed a few small landslides and left greater than two dozen communities remoted by floodwaters.
Melissa is the thirteenth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
The U.S. Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms.
