Florida, Tropical Storm Melissa
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With the 11 p.m. Thursday advisory, Melissa was about 150 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and 270 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, creeping north at only 3 mph and packing maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 140 miles from the center, underscoring the storm's broad reach.
We will be very fortunate if Melissa does not cause a humanitarian disaster, even as Florida is again in the clear of a strange 2025 hurricane season.
Irish Star on MSN
Florida braces as Tropical Storm Melissa kills 4 and experts issue chilling disaster warning
Officials have warned that Tropical Storm Melissa, which has already killed four people, could spark a "humanitarian disaster" as it's forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane. Melissa remained nearly stationary in the central Caribbean on Friday,
Melissa intensified Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane. It will continue to strengthen before making landfall as a Major Category 4 hurricane in Jamaica on Tuesday. The storm will drop two to three feet of rain on the island, creating catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.
"The chances of a direct U.S. hit from Melissa are low right now, but it is still an option, should the tropical system make it into the western Caribbean," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.
The National Hurricane Center said uncertainty continues on where Tropical Storm Melissa will go and how strong it could get.
Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane by Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Melissa continues to keep forecasters guessing but predictions now call for rapid intensification into Category 4 hurricane.