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Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Threatens Jamaica with Potential Major Hurricane

Summary

  • Tropical Storm Melissa strengthening rapidly, expected to become a hurricane by Saturday
  • Melissa forecast to bring heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and landslides to Jamaica, Haiti, and Dominican Republic
  • Sarasota-Manatee area in Florida has avoided direct impact so far
Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Threatens Jamaica with Potential Major Hurricane

As of October 25, 2025, Tropical Storm Melissa, named after the Allman Brothers Band song, is rapidly strengthening in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday. The storm, currently located 160 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, is packing sustained winds of 70 mph and is moving west-northwest at just 1 mph.

Melissa is forecast to bring significant, life-threatening impacts to the region, with the National Hurricane Center warning of 8 to 14 inches of rain in southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Sunday night. Catastrophic flash flooding and landslides are anticipated in southern Haiti, while northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, leading to flash and urban flooding.

While the Sarasota-Manatee area in Florida has so far avoided direct impact from Melissa, the Atlantic hurricane season continues through November, and residents are advised to remain vigilant. The storm's slow motion and large forecast uncertainty mean that the potential for a more significant storm surge, especially along the south coast of Jamaica, cannot be ruled out in the coming days.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.
Tropical Storm Melissa, named after the Allman Brothers Band song, is rapidly intensifying in the Caribbean and is expected to become a hurricane by Saturday. The storm is forecast to move near or just south of Jamaica early next week.
Melissa is expected to bring 8 to 14 inches of rain to southern Jamaica, leading to significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides. There is also a potential risk of a more significant storm surge, especially along the south coast of Jamaica, as the storm's slow motion and large forecast uncertainty could result in higher than expected water levels.
The Sarasota-Manatee area in Florida has so far avoided direct impact from Tropical Storm Melissa, but residents are advised to remain vigilant as the Atlantic hurricane season continues through November.

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