Melissa developed into a deadly Category 5 hurricane Monday, Oct. 27, and is expected to have historically catastrophic impacts on the northern Caribbean.

We will be very fortunate if Melissa does not cause a humanitarian disaster, even as Florida is again in the clear of a strange 2025 hurricane season.

As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, Cuba, and Hispaniola, consumer protection experts are warning residents to be on alert for scammers posing as storm-related charities.

Forecasting models on Thursday continued to promise Florida had a low risk of getting walloped by Tropical Storm Melissa, with Tampa Bay largely in the clear even if the southern part of the state feels some of the storm’s eventual fury.

South Florida will experience impact storms again today, after flooding rains swept through the Boca area last night. Expect heavy rains and storm action this afternoon, flaring up at about 3pm onward.

Some travel plans in Central Florida are being altered due to Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to intensify into a hurricane.

According to the hurricane center, Hurricane Melissa has a significant possibility of making landfall on Jamaica as a major hurricane and could maintain major hurricane strength when it reaches eastern Cuba. Forecasters say Melissa poses little to no risk for Florida and the U.S. at this time.

Melissa is expected to bring life-threatening and catastrophic flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola through the weekend.

Tropical Storm Melissa could reach Category 5 as it rapidly intensifies, with forecasters warning of a potential 'humanitarian disaster' while impacts will be felt as far as Florida next week