Tropical Storm Melissa nears hurricane strength and dumps torrential rain on Caribbean

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KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Tropical Storm Melissa neared hurricane strength Saturday and was expected to rapidly intensify this weekend, as forecasters warned of massive rainfall and life-threatening flooding and landslides in the northern Caribbean.

An astounding 35 inches (89 centimeters) 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 25 inches (64 centimeters) of rain was forecast for Jamaica and the southern regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through Monday, with up to 35 inches (89 centimeters) of rain possible across Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

“Unfortunately for places along the projected path of this storm, (the news) it is increasingly dire,” said Jamie Rhome, the center’s deputy director. “We think it will become a hurricane later today.” He said it will continue to move slowly for up to four days.

Melissa was located about 155 miles (245 kilometers) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 235 miles (375 kilometers) southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was slowly moving west-northwest at 1 mph (2 kph), according to the 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 center added on Saturday.

Haitian authorities said three people had died 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, in the northeast.

“The storm is causing a lot of concern with the way it’s moving," said Ronald Délice, a Haitian department 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 center of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early next week, forecasters said. Melissa was expected to become a major hurricane by Sunday and possibly reach Category 4 status by early Monday, U.S. forecasters said. It is forecast to hit eastern Cuba early Wednesday, where up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) 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.”

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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Associated Press writer Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, contributed to this report.