Melissa expected to rapidly intensify into major hurricane in the Caribbean

"Hurricane Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane on Sunday. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, the hurricane is likely to bring life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to parts of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola, which is made up of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The category two hurricane was moving at three miles per hour Saturday evening with increased top sustained winds of 100 miles per hour."

"The storm's slow movement is expected to bring a deluge of rain to parts of the Caribbean and prolong its dangerous impacts over a period of several days. A hurricane watch is issued for Haiti from its border with the Dominican Republic to Port au-Prince. Melissa was about 250 miles southwest of the Haitian capital late Saturday. The storm was also nearing Kingston, Jamaica. A hurricane warning is in effect for the island."

"Evan Thompson, Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, warned Melissa could be worse than previous major storms that battered the island, such as Hurricane Wilma in 2005. "It's going to sit there pouring water while it's barely moving. And that is a significant challenge that we have to be aware of," said Thompson. "It's going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods, as long as what is predicted does take place.""

Hurricane Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane and bring life-threatening, catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to parts of Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. The storm was a Category 2 moving about 3 mph with top sustained winds of 100 mph; its slow motion will prolong dangerous impacts and heavy rainfall over several days. A hurricane watch covers Haiti from its border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince, and a hurricane warning is in effect for Jamaica. Forecast rainfall totals range from 15–30 inches, with localized amounts up to 40 inches. Jamaica's National Water Commission activated emergency protocols and prioritized water transport to hospitals, children's homes, and correctional facilities.

Read at www.npr.org