Hurricane Melissa Nears Jamaica, Threatens Caribbean

Tropical Storm Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane as it nears Jamaica and is expected to linger over unusually warm Caribbean waters. Meteorologists say rapid intensification to a major Category 4 or 5 hurricane is likely because of very warm sea‑surface temperatures. The slow‑moving storm is forecast to produce catastrophic rainfall — widespread totals of 24 inches or more and localized amounts of 30–35 inches — raising severe risks of flash flooding, landslides and life‑threatening storm surge. Melissa has been blamed for at least three to four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and experts warn millions could face devastating humanitarian impacts. Forecasters place the center near or over Jamaica this weekend into early next week before it curves northeast toward eastern Cuba and out of the Caribbean, with hurricane warnings issued and evacuations urged; the U.S. mainland is not expected to take a direct hit.