Hurricane Melissa is forecast to bring catastrophic impacts to Jamaica, including extensive infrastructural damage, long-duration power and communication outages, and potential isolation of communities, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The NHC issued a warning to Jamaica on Saturday, with storm surge potentially reaching 9 to 13 feet above ground level in affected areas. As of the reporting window, Hurricane Melissa has followed a slow and erratic path since advisories began on October 21. The NHC stated that the storm is expected to cause these severe consequences. Residents are advised to visit Hurricanes.gov for the latest updates. Separately, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Fort Worth reported that damage observed in south Fort Worth from storms the previous night was sporadic and consistent with straight-line winds up to 85 mph, not a concentrated tornado event. This assessment was made after an office survey of the damage. The NHC's warning about Melissa's potential impact on Jamaica highlights the severity of the storm. The storm surge prediction of 9 to 13 feet above ground level is particularly concerning for coastal communities. Some observers noted the storm's slow and erratic movement since advisories were first issued.
