Tropical Storm Melissa Threatens the Caribbean with Heavy Rain and Flooding

Tropical Storm Melissa is maintaining its strength as it moves slowly across the central Caribbean, posing an increasing threat of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and hazardous waves, particularly in eastern Cuba over the upcoming weekend.

The latest update from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time located Melissa's center at 15.6 degrees north latitude and 75.5 degrees west longitude. This places it roughly 300 kilometers south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and 475 kilometers southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Authorities are cautioning residents in Cuba to closely monitor Melissa's progress, as the risk of torrential rains, strong winds, and dangerous surf conditions is projected to escalate in the island's eastern regions.

Eastern provinces in Cuba may face intense rainfall, landslides, and possible coastal flooding starting this weekend, with mountainous and coastal areas being particularly vulnerable.

Given Melissa's slow pace, the storm's impact could be exacerbated, leading to significant and prolonged rain accumulations.

The advisory also warns of swells and high surf expected to begin affecting eastern Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti in the coming days, posing risks of rip currents and minor coastal flooding in onshore wind areas.

Currently, Melissa's maximum sustained winds are at 75 km/h with higher gusts, and a gradual strengthening is anticipated over the next 24 hours, followed by a more rapid intensification over the weekend.

Forecasts suggest Melissa could escalate into a hurricane by Saturday and reach a major category by late Sunday. These urgent updates are struggling to reach the Cuban population, who are enduring power outages lasting over 20 hours in some areas, a situation worsened by a partial collapse of the power grid on Thursday.

The NHC also noted that tropical storm-force winds extend up to 220 kilometers from the center, indicating that its effects could be felt even in areas distant from the storm's direct path.

Meanwhile, a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning remain in effect for Jamaica and southwestern Haiti, with expectations of 200 to 350 millimeters (8 to 14 inches) of rain and potentially catastrophic flooding and landslide damage.

Melissa is moving at a slow 4 km/h, with a minimum central pressure of 1001 millibars, making it a slow-moving system loaded with moisture and destructive potential.

The National Civil Defense authority has issued an early alert regarding Tropical Storm Melissa, emphasizing its potential danger to Cuban territory.

The advisory underscored the importance of vigilant monitoring by the eastern and central provinces of Cuba concerning the storm's possible path and development.