A catastrophic situation in unfolding in the Caribbean, particularly for Jamaica and Haiti, with Tropical Storm Melissa virtually stalled and poised to undergo rapid intensification to Category 4 strength or higher over the next two to three days.

Long-range models continue to take Melissa on a track east of Florida, but officials stress the lack of certainty over the forecast and urge the state to remain vigilant.

In the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center is warning of extreme and prolonged amounts of rainfall that will result in numerous life-threatening flash floods, landslides and storm surge. Jamaica will likely take the brunt of Melissa’s assault, but Haiti and the Dominican Republic are also at high risk.

Melissa is barely drifting about 165 miles south-southeast of Jamaic

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