Tropical Storm Melissa Brings Catastrophic Flooding Threats to Caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa, already responsible for four deaths, is forecast to become a major hurricane before making landfall in central Jamaica on Tuesday. Forecasters warn of potentially catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean, with up to 89 centimeters of rain (35 inches) expected in Haiti. Jamaica's residents are bracing for a prolonged period of hurricane conditions, with the storm's slow pace allowing for possible exposure to the worst of the weather for over 72 hours. The Dominican Republic has also been severely affected, with over 200 homes damaged and nearly half a million people left without water.

Key Takeaways:

• Tropical Storm Melissa has already claimed four lives, with three fatalities in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.
• The storm is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by later Saturday or Sunday, posing a significant threat to Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba.
• Forecasters warn of potentially catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean, with up to 89 centimeters of rain (35 inches) expected in Haiti and up to 64 centimeters (25 inches) in southern Haiti.
• Jamaica's Meteorological Service has prepared over 650 emergency shelters and warned residents to consider the approaching storm a serious threat.
• The storm has already damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and left over half a million people without access to clean water.
• Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica has urged the public to take all necessary measures to protect themselves from the storm's impact.
• The United States National Hurricane Center has warned Jamaica and southern Haiti to expect up to 64 centimeters (25 inches) of rain through Tuesday, with the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti potentially seeing 89 centimeters (35 inches).

Statistics:

• 89 centimeters (35 inches) of rain expected in Haiti (Tiburon Peninsula)
• 64 centimeters (25 inches) of rain expected in southern Haiti
• 200 homes damaged in the Dominican Republic
• 500,000 people left without water in the Dominican Republic
• 72 hours of possible hurricane conditions for Jamaica
• 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) per hour storm's pace on Friday
• 4 fatalities in Haiti
• 1 fatality in the Dominican Republic
• 1 person missing in the Dominican Republic

Sources:

• The Gleaner
• The Associated Press news agency
• Listin Diario daily newspaper
• United States National Hurricane Center
• Al Jazeera