In its latest report on Tropical Storm Melissa this Friday, October 24, 2025, 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0900 UTC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) specifies the risk of a prolonged period of several days of potentially damaging winds and heavy rain due to the slow movement of Melissa.

The center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located at 16.0 degrees north latitude and 75.5 degrees west longitude about 445 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. Melissa is almost stationary, but a slow drift to the Northeast and North is expected later today and tonight. A drift towards the West is then forecast from Saturday and will continue until Monday.

Melissa is expected to produce heavy rain (20 to 35 cm) in the southern Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica through Sunday evening, with locally higher amounts possible leading to possible large and life-threatening flash floods, as well as landslides, anticipated in southern Haiti. Additional heavy rain is likely after Sunday evening, but uncertainty over Melissa's track and speed reduces confidence in exact rain amounts...

Significant damage to roads and buildings is expected in Haiti, potentially isolating communities for a prolonged period. This is a life-threatening situation and immediate preparations to protect life and property must be made without delay. Strong winds could also potentially last a day or more on Haiti's Tiburon Peninsula.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 km/h with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected throughout the day, but significant strengthening is expected by the end of this Friday and over the weekend when Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 220 km from the center. Hurricane conditions are possible in the watch zone in Haiti on Saturday.

The Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) prohibits all cabotage activity on the southern coastal zone of Haiti until further notice due to strong swells.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the southwest peninsula of Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. The Haiti Hydro Meteorological Unit in conjunction with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management has placed the departments of South, South East, Grande Anse, Nippes, West and under the central plateau on orange vigilance

A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

Civil Protection Advice :

The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection calls on the entire population of the departments concerned to remain vigilant during this period, as there could be flooding. The Directorate asks the population not to cross any watercourse under any circumstances, not to tie your animals where the water could carry them, not to stand on hills and bridges to observe the flowing water, not to protect yourself from the rain under the trees, do not remain barefoot in the rain and do not touch any object that conducts electricity in the event of a storm. Store your important papers in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people needing help so they can move if necessary. Stay calm and listen to civil protection messages from reliable sources.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46046-haiti-flash-melissa-risks-becoming-a-hurricane-5-departments-on-orange-alert.html

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

SL/ HaitiLibre