Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to rapidly intensify over the coming weekend, posing an extreme and life-threatening threat to parts of the Caribbean, with a dangerous major hurricane landfall now predicted for Cuba next week.
AccuWeather hurricane experts have elevated the storm’s risk, predicting Melissa could reach Category 4 strength, with the possibility of becoming a devastating Category 5 storm fueled by exceptionally warm Caribbean waters.
This development has expanded the area facing an extreme risk to lives and property to include all of Jamaica, as well as parts of Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
Dangerous Landfall and Catastrophic Impacts Predicted
AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva warned, “The very warm waters and slow movement of this storm are a recipe for disaster… People in Cuba need to be prepared for the increasing threat of a major hurricane landfall next week.”
Forecasts now place Melissa on a path to cross Cuba as a major hurricane before moving into the Bahamas. The storm’s slow crawl over the central Caribbean’s warm waters is expected to facilitate rapid intensification.
Torrential rainfall is the primary catastrophic threat, with 8-16 inches forecast across parts of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, and Jamaica, and an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 30 inches possible. This level of rain is likely to trigger:
- Life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially near steep terrain.
- Road washouts and destruction of bridges.
- Widespread power and communication outages from destructive wind gusts up to $120-140$ mph, with a Local StormMax™ of 150 mph.
Furthermore, a damaging storm surge of 6-10 feet is forecast for southeast-facing beaches in Jamaica, with a Local StormMax™ of 15 feet.
U.S. East Coast on Coastal Erosion Alert
While the risk of direct rain and wind impacts to the U.S. East Coast remains low for next week, the powerful storm will generate far-reaching coastal hazards.
“Rough surf, beach erosion, and coastal flooding issues are likely along much of the East Coast next week, regardless of how close the storm gets to the U.S.,” DaSilva stated. Beaches from South Florida to the Northeast will feel the impacts of the powerful system, which is generating huge waves.
Experts caution that Melissa could wash away tons of sand from beaches already hard-hit by earlier storms this year, further exacerbating chronic erosion issues along the coast.
AccuWeather has rated Melissa a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes for the western Caribbean, due to the widespread threat of life-threatening flooding rain, mudslides, and strong winds. Residents and businesses in the forecast path are urged to finalize preparedness plans immediately.
READ: Tropical Storm Melissa Forecast To Become Massive Cat 5 Hurricane, Imperiling Caribbean
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
