Tropical Storm Melissa is dumping heavy rain in the Caribbean as it nears hurricane strength
The tropical storm is approaching Typhoon Saturday and is expected to strengthen quickly this weekend, as forecasters warned of heavy rain and life-threatening flooding and landslides in the northern Caribbean.
A whopping 89 inches of rain is expected in Southwest Haiti.
The low-level and slow-moving storm killed at least three people in Haiti and a fourth in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.
Up to 64 centimeters of rain was forecast for Jamaica and the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic until Monday, with up to 89 centimeters of rain, according to the US National Penstane Center.
“If those rains were to happen, you’re talking about the potential for catastrophic flooding,” said Jamie Rom, Assistant Deputy Director.
Melissa was located 260 kilometers southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 375 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and was moving slowly west-northwest at three km/h, according to the US National Weather Service.
“Rapid intensification is forecast for the beginning of the next 24 hours. Melissa is forecast to become a storm soon and become a major storm on Sunday,” the agency added on Saturday.
The storm is expected to become a major hurricane on Sunday
The Haitian authorities said three people died in the country due to the storm and five others were injured due to the collapsed wall. There were reports of rising levels of the River, floods and the bridge being destroyed due to the breaching of the rivers in Suante-Suzanne (North-East) due to the breaching of the rivers.
A hurricane warning was in effect for Jamaica and a hurricane watch remained in place southwest of Haiti.
Melissa’s center is expected to be near or over Jamaica early next week, forecasters said.
Melissa could reach category 4 status as early as Monday, US forecasters said.
The storm is forecast to hit Eastern Cuba as early as Wednesday, when 30 centimeters could fall in some areas.
Jamaica’s airports to close in case of Hurricane Isiphon
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology said Melissa could bring a tropical storm or tropical storm to the southeastern islands and central Bahamas to the Turks and Caicos Islands early next week.
Authorities in Jamaica have warned that all airports will close within 24 hours if a hurricane warning is issued. More than 650 shelters were set up.
Authorities said warehouses on the island were well stocked and thousands of food packages were planned for immediate distribution if needed.
“I urge Jamaicans to take this climate change seriously,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. “Take every step to protect yourself.”
Hurricane Season is moving through the Atlantic region, hitting its climactological peak on September 10. CBC Meteorologist Ryan Snoddon looks at what the second half of the season can bring.
The storm damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and knocked out water supply systems, affecting more than half a million customers. It also reduced trees and street lights, revealing the small colors of small countries and leaving communities more than two minutes separated by floods.
Melissa is the 13th named hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal period with 13 to 18 named storms.
