Tropical Storm Melissa, soon a hurricane, brings death, floods to Caribbean

"The slow-moving, but punishing, Tropical Storm Melissa that has already killed four people is threatening catastrophic flooding across the northern Caribbean as it strengthens towards Jamaica. Melissa is expected to become a major hurricane, possibly by later Saturday or Sunday, before making landfall across central Jamaica on Tuesday, with forecasters warning the system could dump up to 89 centimetres of rain (35 inches) across Haiti."

"The storm's crawling pace moving at just 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) per hour on Friday means Jamaica could endure hurricane conditions for more than 72 hours, while southwestern Haiti faces what forecasters describe as life-threatening flash flooding. Three people have died in Haiti, including two killed in a landslide in Port-au-Prince and another struck by a falling tree in Marigot, officials said. A fourth person was killed in the Dominican Republic, where another remains missing."

"Jamaica's Meteorological Service principal director Evan Thompson told The Gleaner that residents should brace for a double effect as the hurricane's eye passes over the island, with the strongest winds hitting from opposite directions on either side of the centre. The forecast marks a significant shift from earlier in the week, when landfall was considered only a slim chance. Authorities have readied more than 650 emergency shelters across Jamaica and said airports will close once a hurricane warning is declared."

Tropical Storm Melissa is slow-moving and intensifying toward Jamaica and the northern Caribbean, and is expected to become a major hurricane by the weekend. The system could make landfall across central Jamaica on Tuesday and produce more than 72 hours of hurricane conditions due to its crawling pace. Forecasters warn of catastrophic rainfall, with up to 89 centimetres (35 inches) possible across Haiti and life-threatening flash flooding in southwestern Haiti. The storm has caused at least four deaths across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, damaged homes, disrupted water supplies, and prompted Jamaica to open more than 650 emergency shelters and prepare airport closures.

Read at www.aljazeera.com