Miami, FL – The National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed Saturday afternoon that Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane and could rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by the end of the weekend.
According to the 2 p.m. EDT advisory, Hurricane Melissa was located south of Hispaniola, producing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous surf conditions across the northern Caribbean. The NHC warns that life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are likely across southern Hispaniola and Jamaica through early next week.
Satellite imagery from NOAA shows a well-defined circulation with expanding storm bands, signaling the system’s quick organization. Forecast models suggest Melissa could reach Category 3 strength or higher as it moves northwest over the next 48 hours.
Residents in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic are urged to monitor local emergency updates, prepare for potential evacuations, and avoid flooded areas. Forecasters say conditions could deteriorate rapidly Saturday night into Sunday as the storm intensifies.
Officials emphasize that even if the storm’s center stays offshore, heavy rainfall and landslides remain a severe risk across mountainous regions.
For continuous updates, visit Hurricanes.gov.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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