It's still uncertain which way Melissa will track, and how quickly, but the storm is likely to bring colossal rains and life-threatening flooding to multiple islands in the Caribbean.

Tropical Storm Melissa is nearly stationary in the central Caribbean, with forecasters warning it could soon strengthen and brush past Jamaica as a powerful hurricane.

Invest 98L strengthened as expected into Tropical Storm Melissa Tuesday, Oct. 21. Further strengthening is expected.

The prime minister ordered mandatory evacuations as officials braced for tens of thousands to be displaced. Three people were killed and 13 others injured during preparations for the storm, the health minister said.

Tropical Storm Melissa is lumbering through the Caribbean Sea and bringing a risk of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola.

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a major Category 4 hurricane as its slowly churns in the Caribbean Sea. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Haiti on alert for heavy rainfall, flooding, and damaging winds, according to the National Hurricane Season. Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends November 30.

While the storm does not currently pose an immediate threat to the U.S. mainland, forecasters say interests in the Caribbean should closely monitor Melissa’s progression.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, threatening the northern Caribbean with massive rainfall and life-threatening flooding

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5. Cuban authorities reported that about 735,000 people have been evacuated so far.