In its latest Tropical Storm Melissa report, issued this Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0900 UTC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that Melissa is expected to remain stationary over the central Caribbean Sea for several days and is forecast to become a hurricane by the end of this week or early next week.

Due to Melissa's slow movement (6 km/h, stationary), the risk of a prolonged period of strong winds, possibly lasting a day or more, increases for the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed quickly, as strong winds could begin in these areas as early as Friday and intensify over the weekend.

The center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located at 15.0 degrees North latitude and 74.9 degrees West longitude, approximately 485 km southwest of Port-au-Prince.

Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall (12 to 25 cm) over significant portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica over the weekend, leading to significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Additional heavy rainfall is possible beyond Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h (53 mph) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected over the next day, but significant strengthening is forecast by the end of Friday and over the weekend, when Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 km (115 mi) from the center.

Melissa is moving toward the west-northwest at near 6 km/h (4 mph). A slow northwestward or northward movement is expected over the next two days, followed by a westward turn over the weekend. Along its forecast track, Melissa is expected to approach Jamaica and the southwest portion of Haiti over the next two days. The Departments of South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, and West are expected. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has prohibited all cabotage activity on the country's southern coastal area until further notice.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the southwest peninsula of Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. Haiti's Hydrometeorological Unit, in conjunction with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management, has placed the departments of the South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, West, and the Central Plateau under orange alert.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area within the next two days.

Civil Protection advice :

The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection calls on the entire population of the affected departments to remain vigilant during this period, as flooding and high water may occur. The Directorate asks the public not to cross any waterways under any circumstances, not to tie up animals where the water could carry them away, not to stand on hills and bridges to observe flowing water, not to shelter from the rain under trees, not to stand barefoot in the rain, and not to touch any electrically conductive objects during a thunderstorm. Store your important papers in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people in need of assistance so they can move if necessary. Remain calm and listen to civil protection messages from reliable sources.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46039-haiti-flash-storm-melissa-threatens-haiti-5-departments-on-yellow-alert.html

SL/ HaitiLibre