Tropical Storm Melissa Brings Catastrophic Flash Flooding and Landslides to the Caribbean

Strategic Insights -

Tropical Storm Melissa is slowly moving through the central Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to southern Haiti and Jamaica. Forecasters warn that the storm could strengthen and brush past Jamaica as a powerful hurricane, with maximum sustained winds expected to reach up to 140 mph by Tuesday. The slow-moving storm has already caused one death in southern Haiti and five injuries, and the U.N. has announced plans to open more than 100 emergency shelters in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday and become a major hurricane by the end of the weekend, possibly reaching Category 4 status by Tuesday.
  • The slow-moving storm is bringing heavy rainfall to Jamaica and the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with up to 14 inches of rain forecasted for southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
  • The storm has already caused one death in southern Haiti and five injuries, and the U.N. has announced plans to open more than 100 emergency shelters in the region.
  • A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect for Jamaica and the southwestern peninsula of Haiti, with all airports expected to close within 24 hours if a hurricane warning is issued.
  • Schools, health centers, and government offices have closed across Jamaica, and all public schools in the Dominican Republic will close on Friday.
  • The storm is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the first named storm to form in the Caribbean this year, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting an above-normal season with 13-18 named storms.

Statistics:

  • Up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain is forecasted for southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
  • The storm has already caused one death in southern Haiti and five injuries.
  • The U.N. plans to open more than 100 emergency shelters in Haiti's southern region.
  • The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday and become a major hurricane by the end of the weekend, possibly reaching Category 4 status by Tuesday.
  • Maximum sustained winds are expected to reach up to 140 mph by Tuesday.
  • The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press, "Tropical Storm Melissa Slowly Moves Through Caribbean," March 2025.
  • The Associated Press, "Haiti, Dominican Republic Brace for Tropical Storm Melissa," March 2025.
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Predictions."