Tropical Storm Melissa continues its slow track through the central Caribbean Sea, posing a severe and potentially catastrophic threat of flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica and the south-western side of Haiti.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has issued its first information on the system, warning that Melissa is forecasted to strengthen over the next few days, possibly becoming a hurricane by October 24. Substantial intensification is possible over the weekend, with some forecasters warning the storm could reach Category 4 or even Category 5 strength by early next week as it lingers over exceptionally warm Caribbean waters.
Hurricane conditions are forecasted for Haiti by today, and tropical storm conditions may begin to affect Jamaica by late Thursday or early Friday. Both Jamaica and the southwestern side of Haiti are currently under a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning.
Five to ten inches of rain are forecasted for eastern Jamaica, southern Haiti, and the southern Dominican Republic through Saturday, with some areas potentially receiving up to 14 inches. CDEMA and the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warn that the heavy, prolonged rain is expected to cause significant flash flooding and landslides, especially in Haiti’s mountainous terrain where the ground is already saturated. At least one fatality, an elderly man in Haiti, has already been attributed to the storm.
Authorities and CDEMA are urging residents in all threatened areas to finalise emergency preparations immediately. (PR)
