Category 4 Hurricane Melissa threatens catastrophic flooding in Jamaica and Haiti

"Hurricane Melissa has intensified into a category 4 hurricane, and could develop further to become a category 5 as it approaches Jamaica, according to the National Hurricane Center. The hurricane is likely to bring life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to parts of the island nation where a hurricane warning is in effect as well as to southern Hispaniola, which is made up of Haiti and the Dominican Republic."

"The category 4 hurricane was moving at five miles per hour Sunday morning, with increased maximum sustained wind speeds reaching up to 140 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. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Melissa is likely to reach the southern coast of Jamaica Tuesday morning, and urged Jamaicans to seek shelter now."

"During a press briefing on Saturday, Jamaican officials said time was running out for residents to prepare for the storm. 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."

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 4 and could strengthen to Category 5 as it approaches Jamaica. The storm moved slowly at about five miles per hour with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph, prolonging hazardous conditions. The slow movement will produce heavy rainfall across parts of the Caribbean, raising the risk of life-threatening flash floods and landslides in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. Forecasts indicate 15–30 inches of rain across Jamaica and southern Hispaniola into midweek, with some local areas possibly receiving as much as 40 inches. Authorities issued hurricane warnings and watches and urged residents to seek shelter and finalize preparations.

Read at www.npr.org