Overview
- At 5 a.m. ET Saturday, Melissa was about 270 km southeast of Kingston with 110 km/h winds and a northwest drift near 6 km/h, and the NHC expects hurricane strength today and rapid intensification to a major hurricane by Monday.
- A tropical-storm warning is in effect for Jamaica with hurricane watches for Jamaica and parts of southwest Haiti, and Jamaica has put public hospitals in emergency mode as officials signal airports may close if a hurricane warning is issued.
- The NHC warns of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides, especially in southwest Haiti, with forecast rain totals of roughly 200–350 mm and up to 500 mm in mountains as the storm’s very slow motion prolongs impacts.
- Haiti’s civil protection reports at least three deaths linked to the storm, and the Dominican Republic has seen damaged homes and widespread water-service disruptions that have affected hundreds of thousands, prompting closures and mandatory evacuations in some areas.
- UN agencies and partners are pre‑positioning assistance, with WFP distributing preventive aid for about 45,000 people and IOM coordinating more than 100 emergency shelters and response teams with Haiti’s civil protection.