Tropical Storm Melissa Threatens Jamaica and Hispaniola with Flooding and Landslides

Tropical Storm Melissa is advancing through the Caribbean Sea, bringing heavy rainfall and the potential for dangerous landslides to Jamaica and the southern regions of Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground.

In Haiti, the storm has already caused casualties. A large tree, felled by the storm, resulted in the death of an elderly man in Marigot, a coastal town in the south. Additionally, five individuals sustained injuries due to flooding in the central Artibonite area, as reported by the Civil Protection Agency.

As of Thursday, the storm was approximately 150 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 270 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving north at 3 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Both a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning have been issued for Jamaica and Haiti's southwestern peninsula. The National Hurricane Center has warned of "catastrophic flash flooding and landslides" anticipated in southern Haiti.

Michael Brennan, the center's director, expressed concern: > "We are very concerned about the potential for multiple days of long duration wind, storm surge, heavy rainfall and flooding impacts."

Forecasts indicate that Melissa will remain over open water this week but is expected to approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti in the coming days. The storm is projected to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday and could escalate to a major hurricane, potentially reaching Category 4 status by Tuesday.

AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva, highlighted the storm's potential for rapid intensification: > "The very warm waters and slow movement of this storm are a recipe for disaster. Rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane is not out of the question."

In preparation, Jamaican officials have readied 881 shelters. Courts have been ordered closed, and schools are transitioning to remote classes. Crews have placed 1,000 sandbags in eastern Kingston to mitigate flooding risks from a nearby gully. Works Minister Roberto Morgan emphasized the importance of preparedness: > "Our main focus is to be prepared for what could be a very damaging storm."

Health Minister Christopher Tufton announced the closure of Jamaica's 325 health centers by Thursday afternoon, warning that the storm could disrupt supply chains, including those for essential medications. He assured that hospitals are in emergency mode with generators capable of providing power for up to 72 hours. > "It's important that the public take the next couple of hours to prepare themselves," Tufton advised.

The Jamaican government has also cautioned about potential power outages and has flown in additional line workers to assist post-storm.

Forecasters predict that Jamaica's eastern region could receive up to 14 inches of rain, leading to flooding and landslides, especially given the already saturated ground from recent heavy rains.

Rohan Brown of Jamaica's Meteorological Services urged vigilance: > "The system is still evolving. We urge everybody to be vigilant."

In the Dominican Republic, over 100 people are in shelters. Schools, businesses, and government agencies have closed in nine provinces under alert. Dozens of water supply systems are out of service, affecting more than half a million customers. The storm has also downed trees and traffic lights and caused minor landslides.

Emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez García advised: > "People must remain in their homes for security reasons."

Up to 14 inches of rain is forecasted for southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic through Sunday, with higher totals in some areas. Additional rainfall is expected after Sunday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center has warned of "significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides" in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.

Haiti faces heightened concerns due to its vulnerability to storms, exacerbated by widespread erosion, gang violence, poverty, and weak governance, which limit storm preparations.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has allocated $4 million to assist over 10,000 vulnerable Haitians ahead of the storm. The funds will support evacuation efforts, cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene kits.

Flooding is a major concern, especially as Haiti reported 139 suspected cholera cases and five deaths in one week earlier this month, following nearly three months without cases. The bacterial disease is often spread through contaminated water.

OCHA highlighted the challenges: > "This outbreak is unfolding amid a severe deterioration of basic services in the capital, where only 11% of health facilities with inpatient capacity remain fully operational."

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and the first to form in the Caribbean this year. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms, of which five to nine were forecasted to become hurricanes, including two to five major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.