Brace for Impact: Tampa Bay Monitors Intensifying Tropical Storm Melissa

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VALRICO, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for Jamaica and sections of Haiti due to the progression of Tropical Storm Melissa through the Caribbean Sea.

Forecasters anticipate Melissa will escalate to hurricane status within the coming days, bringing substantial rainfall to Jamaica, regions of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

Currently positioned in the central Caribbean Sea, Melissa is affecting southeastern Jamaica and southwestern Haiti, according to the NHC.

As the storm approaches, individuals with relatives and connections in the affected areas express concern but remain ready to assist with recovery efforts after the storm passes.

“I have family there and she is always keeping an eye on everything that’s happening over there,” Jiminez said.

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.