The storm may develop into a hurricane by Friday and a serious one by the late weekend.
Printed On 23 Oct 2025
Tropical Storm Melissa is threatening the Caribbean Sea islands with harmful landslides and life-threatening flooding, as officers urge residents of flood-prone areas to hunt greater floor and shelter.
Jamaica’s japanese area may see as much as 12 inches (300mm) of rain. “Now that’s vital rainfall, and that’s the important factor that we needs to be aware of right now,” Evan Thompson, director of Jamaica’s Meteorological Service, mentioned.
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Comparable rainfall quantities had been anticipated for southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic by way of Saturday, with much more rain attainable domestically, relying on Melissa’s path later within the week.
Heavy rain was additionally forecast for western Jamaica, southern Hispaniola, Aruba and Puerto Rico.
Melissa had most sustained winds of 50mph (85km/h) and was shifting west at 2mph (4km/h) late on Wednesday evening, in keeping with the US Nationwide Hurricane Middle in Miami.
The slow-moving storm was centred about 335 miles (535km) south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and a few 295 miles (475km) south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.
The NHC mentioned the storm may strengthen steadily within the coming days and develop into a hurricane by Friday and a serious hurricane by the late weekend.
Heavy rains within the Dominican Republic have already disrupted site visitors and led to the cancellation of sports activities occasions.
Melissa is the thirteenth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the primary named storm to kind within the Caribbean this yr.
The Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season – which runs from June 1 to November 30 – with 13 to 18 named storms.
Of these, 5 to 9 had been forecast to develop into hurricanes, together with two to 5 main hurricanes, which pack winds of 111mph or larger.
