Tropical storm Melissa drops torrential rain on Caribbean as it nears hurricane strength

tropic force genus melissa neared hurricane strength sat and was expected to rapidly deepen this weekend, as forecasters warned of massive rainfall and life-threatening flooding and landslides in the northern Caribbean.

An astounding 89 centimetres of rain was anticipated in southwest Haiti.

The erratic and slow-moving storm has killed at least three people in Haiti and a fourth person in the Dominican Republic, where another person remains missing.

Up to 64 centimetres of rain was forecast for Jamaica and the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday, with up to 89 centimeters of rain possible across Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

"If those rains were to occur, you're talking about catastrophic flooding potential," said Jamie Rhome, the centre's deputy director.

Melissa was located about 260 kilometres southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 375 kilometres southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and was slowly moving west-northwest at three km/h, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

"Rapid intensification is forecast to begin over the next 24 hours. Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane shortly and a major hurricane by Sunday," the centre added on Saturday.

Haitian authorities said three people had died in the country as a consequence of the hurricane and another five were injured due to a collapsed wall. There were also reports of rising river levels, flooding and a bridge destroyed due to breached riverbanks in Sainte-Suzanne (North-East) due to breached riverbanks.

"The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it's moving," said Ronald Délice, a Haitian departmental director of civil protection, as local authorities organized lines to distribute food kits. Many residents are still reluctant to leave their homes.

A hurricane warning was in effect for Jamaica and a hurricane watch remained in place for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti.

The centre of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early next week, forecasters said.

Melissa could reach Category 4 status by early Monday, U.S. Forecasters said.

The storm is then forecast to hit eastern Cuba early Wednesday, where up to 30 centimetres could fall in some areas.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology said Melissa could bring tropical storm or hurricane conditions to islands in the Southeast and Central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by early next week.

Authorities in Jamaica warned that all airports would close within 24 hours if a hurricane warning is issued. More than 650 shelters were activated.

Officials said warehouses across the island were well-stocked and thousands of food packages prepositioned for quick distribution if needed.

"I urge Jamaicans to take this weather threat seriously," said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. "Take all measures to protect yourself."

Halfway through hurricane season, where do we stand?

The storm has damaged nearly 200 homes in the Dominican Republic and knocked out water supply systems, affecting more than half a million customers. It also downed trees and traffic lights, unleashed a couple of small landslides and left more than two dozen communities isolated by floodwaters.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted an above-normal season with 13 to 18 named storms.

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