Tropical Storm Melissa is poised to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane this weekend, zeroing in on Jamaica with a triple threat of flooding rain, destructive winds and storm surge. The storm could make landfall late Monday or early Tuesday and may reach Category 4 — even Category 5 can’t be ruled out. Torrential bands have swamped Haiti and the Dominican Republic, killing at least three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is under a hurricane warning; hospitals are in emergency mode as officials urge immediate preparation.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.