Melissa's Slow March: A Caribbean Storm to Watch

In the heart of the Caribbean, a storm named Melissa is making its presence known. This is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, and it's not in a hurry to leave. Experts say it could grow into a major hurricane, but they're not sure just how strong it will get or where it will go next. Melissa is moving at a snail's pace, which is causing some concern. It's expected to linger near Haiti, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba for days. This slow movement could lead to a lot of rain, which means flash floods and landslides are possible. That's not good news for people living in those areas. As of Thursday morning, Melissa was about 215 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It's moving northwest at just 5 mph, with winds around 50 mph. Experts say it could become a major hurricane by the end of the weekend or early next week. That means winds could reach 111 mph or more. Right now, a hurricane watch is in effect for parts of Haiti and Jamaica. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Jamaica. This means people in those areas should be prepared for strong winds and heavy rain. Melissa is expected to bring a lot of rain to the region. Southern Haiti, the southern Dominican Republic, and eastern Jamaica could see 5 to 10 inches of rain through Sunday. That's a lot of water in a short amount of time, which could cause serious problems. But it's not just those areas that need to worry. The northern parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, as well as western Jamaica, could see 2 to 4 inches of rain through Saturday. Even Aruba and Puerto Rico could get 1 to 3 inches of rain through Sunday. This storm is a reminder that hurricane season is in full swing. It's important for people in the Caribbean to stay informed and be prepared. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.