Stay Alert: Tropical Storm Melissa Intensifies, Tampa Bay Prepares for Impact

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VALRICO, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning for Jamaica and sections of Haiti as Tropical Storm Melissa continues its journey across the Caribbean Sea.

Forecasters predict that Melissa will escalate to hurricane status in the coming days, bringing heavy rainfall that is expected to affect Jamaica, parts of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

Currently, the storm is positioned in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, impacting the southeastern part of Jamaica and the southwestern region of Haiti, according to the National Hurricane Center.

For those with family and connections in the affected areas, the storm has become a cause for concern. Many are preparing to offer assistance once the storm passes.

“I have family there, and she is always vigilant about everything that’s happening over there,” shared Jiminez, reflecting a common sentiment among those worried about loved ones in the storm’s path.

Latin American Barber Shop barber Henrry Jiminez said his mother has been keeping him updated and is bracing for what’s to come.

“We’ll help if we can. Let’s hope to God nothing happens,” Jiminez said.

Kreyol Delight 2 restaurant manager Lassie Oscar said Tropical Storm Melissa is not what Haiti needs right now.

“It’s scary because most of the people in Haiti now don’t have a house and they’re either running for their life away from the gangs or have to leave their area or where they are because they’re taking over their houses,” Oscar said.

As of Thursday evening, the National Hurricane Center said Melissa is expected to bring up to 14 inches of rain to southern Hispaniola and eastern Jamaica and up to four inches across northern Hispaniola and western Jamaica through Sunday.

Oscar said the management team of both Kreyol Delight restaurant locations will be helping out of pocket.

“Sometimes it’s just a fund transfer, and sometimes it’s somebody that’s going there that you would send it with. So once everything happens, we’ll figure out how to help because regardless, they are family,” Oscar said.

Jiminez says he is hoping for a different outcome.

“I think it’ll go in a different direction,” he said.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Melissa could become a hurricane sometime next week.