In brief
As Tropical Storm Melissa looms in the Caribbean, forecasters warn of heavy rainfall causing catastrophic flooding in southern Haiti and potential hurricane conditions in Jamaica. The storm is expected to deliver up to 35 inches of rain in Haiti, sparking life-threatening conditions. Already, at least four deaths have been reported in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with warnings of severe landslides and flooding across affected areas.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Melissa was stationary in the central Caribbean on Friday, leading forecasters to warn it could strengthen into a hurricane while affecting Jamaica and southwestern Haiti with immense rainfall predicted to cause catastrophic flooding and landslides.
The unpredictable storm is expected to release heavy rainfall throughout Jamaica and southern Haiti, with projections estimating as much as 35 inches (89 centimeters) on Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula. Already, the disaster has claimed the lives of four individuals—three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.
Jamie Rhome, deputy director at the U.S. National Hurricane Center, affirmed, These heavy rains are going to persist over one area for several days, which raises serious concerns for the regions in the storm's path.
Located approximately 215 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, Melissa has sustained winds of 65 mph and is moving at a crawl of 2 mph. Both Jamaica and Haiti's southwestern peninsula remain under a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.
The National Hurricane Center is worried about potential flash flooding and landslides due to the storm's approach, especially in southwestern Haiti. Recent heavy rains unrelated to the storm have already saturated the ground, further complicating the situation.
As preparations ramp up in Jamaica ahead of the storm, schools and government offices closed, while emergency shelters were being activated amid warnings from officials about the risks involved. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness addressed the nation, acknowledging the looming threat the storm poses.
Meanwhile, many individuals in Haiti are grappling with two disasters: the ongoing gang violence that has uprooted them from their homes and the impending storm. They express concerns about finding safety amidst such turmoil.
In the Dominican Republic, the aftermath of Melissa has already left nearly 200 homes damaged and disrupted the water supply for over 500,000 residents due to severe weather conditions.
The storm, regarded as the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is set to hit eastern Cuba as a potentially major hurricane early next week, further extending its reach of destruction across the region.
