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Tropical Storm Melissa Threatens Jamaica and Haiti with Catastrophic Flooding
Officials warn of up to 12 inches of rain causing life-threatening flooding and landslides as Tropical Storm Melissa threatens to become a major hurricane this weekend.
- Tropical Storm Melissa lumbered through the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, bringing risk of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.
- Forecasters say warm ocean temperatures near 30°C and decreasing wind shear could fuel rapid strengthening, with Matt Lanza warning `Intensification into a hurricane and major hurricane seems likely at this point, with a high-end category 4 or 5 in the realm of the possible`.
- As of Thursday morning, Melissa was nearly stationary midway between Hispaniola and Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, while Santo Domingo recorded 12 to 18 inches of rain and NHC forecasts another 12 inches through Sunday.
- Emergency directors ordered protective measures and warned of life‑threatening flooding as Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning remained in effect, with officials urging residents to seek higher ground and crews placing sandbags in Kingston.
- NHC forecasts Melissa could reach Category 4 with 130 mph winds by the weekend and be very near Jamaica by Monday, but computer model uncertainty leaves the exact track unclear.
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Melissa moves slower than a pedestrian. But that doesn't mean she's harmless. She could easily turn into a hurricane – due to the unusually warm At
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Total News Sources49
Leaning Left8Leaning Right0Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution68% Center
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
68% Center
L 32%
C 68%
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