Tropical Storm Melissa kills 3
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Here's a look at where Tropical Storm Melissa is, where it's headed and the impacts it could have in Sarasota.
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Bryan Norcross: Extreme hurricane impacts begin tonight in Jamaica
Melissa will likely intensify into a hurricane in a matter of hours. Once the storm has its structure in place, rapid intensification is forecast over the near-record warm water.
Melissa is on track to rapidly strenghten Saturday, Oct. 25 and could become a major Category 5 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Melissa, responsible for multiple fatalities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, is nearing hurricane strength, sparking concerns over severe flooding, powerful storm surges, and extensive wind damage in Jamaica and surrounding regions.
Melissa has the potential to be a devastating storm for several areas, including Jamaica, which could take a prolonged and direct hit early next week, when Melissa could be a major hurricane. Jamaica was under a hurricane warning on Saturday, and a tropical storm warning and hurricane watch continued for the southern part of Haiti.
Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to bring days of heavy rain to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica and may trigger life-threatening flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center says.