General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhat will be Cat 4 Melissa will devastate this island as it cuts right across on Tuesday
Holy effin shit
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT13/refresh/AL132025_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind+png/242044_5day_cone_no_line_and_wind.png
applegrove
(130,841 posts)Qutzupalotl
(15,722 posts)Store food and water if you can.
h2ebits
(985 posts)snowybirdie
(6,596 posts)And stay safe
PJMcK
(24,855 posts)Arent you in the mountains? Im holding you in my thoughts.
Deuxcents
(25,847 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)Damn
Deuxcents
(25,847 posts)Is about all we can do now..running out of time and distance..I know this isnt your first rodeo, as they say, but do be safe
malaise
(293,742 posts)had barely a scratch from Gilbert in 1988 to now.
It is our poor, urban folks and hillside dwellers and our infrastructure who/that will take a beating.
Deuxcents
(25,847 posts)peggysue2
(12,437 posts)You, your family, friends and neighbors. These hurricanes are do damn unpredictable.
Stay safe.
TBF
(35,911 posts)meteorologists - they are worried about this one. Pls. stay safe!! (we rode out Harvey in our new - to us- house). Had another big October storm crash through last night. Lost power for 4 hours, which I would have missed except the dog woke me up w/his barking! It's that time of year - it always seems Aug-Oct is the worst here for storms.
efhmc
(16,184 posts)RoseTrellis
(126 posts)no modern hurricane has hit from the south, all previous ones have been from east to west!
Stay safe!
SheltieLover
(77,873 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)We all have contingency plans😀
SheltieLover
(77,873 posts)Clouds Passing
(7,323 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(10,209 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(10,209 posts)And how long we can continue to live in Florida and now North Carolina. The only thing that helps us in Florida is that the flooding in a lot of areas just disappears overnight. We have new lakes form in our development and they are usually gone by the next day or two due to drought conditions and the sun/heat.
BeneteauBum
(351 posts)Seven years since cat4 Irma devastated us. Lost my retirement dream floating home; fortunate to be able to purchase a second. So many still havent completely recovered
..mainly the people who live at near poverty level. Climate change is real no matter what the Washington idiots say.
Good luck Malaise
Peace ☮️
malaise
(293,742 posts)Last edited Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)
We move on
kerry-is-my-prez
(10,209 posts)I love the Keys - Im up in Naples. I think Id be a serious alcoholic if I lived in the Keys.I lived on St Pete Beach and Treasure Island though which is a bit like the Keys. I was always wanting to to get a place on Fort Myers Beach, luckily it didnt happen - it would have been wiped out.
BeneteauBum
(351 posts)A lot of rum seems to evaporate from the bottle at times. Weve only had ten direct strikes in the past fifty years and two were major
.but it can cause a level of anxiety as the storms develop.
Peace ☮️.
malaise
(293,742 posts)This will be a Major triple blow - Haiti, Jamaica Cuba.
They are getting stronger faster.
JMCKUSICK
(5,325 posts)I know it's impossible and absurd but wow
Vinca
(53,486 posts)Sogo
(7,021 posts)Are you/can you evacuate????
flvegan
(65,898 posts)blogslug
(39,103 posts)Good thoughts. ❤️
spanone
(141,165 posts)If not hunker down!!!!!
DAMN
malaise
(293,742 posts)This too will pass😀
Stay safe
GoodRaisin
(10,780 posts)Hoping the best for you.
MuseRider
(35,159 posts)since this became an issue hoping it would go around you.
Scared to death for you. I know you are smart, capable and have done this before but still.......you have every good wish and thought I can produce. Hoping all of you will be left intact and safe.
malaise
(293,742 posts)Hopefully power will return quickly
dixiegrrrrl
(60,147 posts)We usually don't get direct hurricane impacts where we live.But we do get the rain and wind enuff to lose power, the longest was 3 days.
3 days of no moving air in very humid very hot weather is quite difficult for seniors esp.Difficult to sleep, hard to breathe.
It's one of those problems you have to experience to understand.
malaise
(293,742 posts)This may be the worst one to hit JA since Gilbert and I think it will be much worse. 23 inches of rain, real slow ,ovement and Cat 4 winds.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,147 posts)bucolic_frolic
(54,359 posts)elleng
(141,926 posts)and we'll CONTINUE to do so.
LoisB
(12,491 posts)littlemissmartypants
(32,380 posts)FalloutShelter
(14,246 posts)irisblue
(37,003 posts)slightlv
(7,520 posts)And may the post-storm issues be handled quickly and professionally... with dignity and caring for all. we're all pulling for you Malaise... you've heard it enough here, but I'll echo my own with "be safe"... you mean a lot to many, many of us!!!!
LoisB
(12,491 posts)Ellipsis
(9,439 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
Ellipsis
(9,439 posts)They had it as a side story.
Be safe... load up on fresh water and stuff.
Best
malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
HipChick
(25,586 posts)IrishAfricanAmerican
(4,409 posts)Wounded Bear
(63,942 posts)Be as safe as you can. I know you'll likely experience some outage over that period.
Best wishes.
littlemissmartypants
(32,380 posts)rzemanfl
(31,244 posts)It has already moved to the east quite a bit. I watch ventusky.com when the storms get close.
The waiting must be godawful, it is just stooging around out there this weekend.
I always used to say NOAA tried to have the track pass over as many Home Depot Stores as possible because it was good for the economy. I will keep my fingers crossed for you and the Toronto Blue Jays.
malaise
(293,742 posts)One of my neighbors and I were laughing and saying seriouly this shit will be here until Tuesday or Wednesday?😀
SheltieLover
(77,873 posts)FalloutShelter
(14,246 posts)Malaise, please keep safe.
HeartsCanHope
(1,542 posts)raccoon
(32,261 posts)Mossfern
(4,648 posts)We'll be watching the weather, the news and waiting to here from you.
OLDMDDEM
(3,062 posts)Passages
(3,986 posts)Be safe.
Greybnk48
(10,684 posts)I saw what you wrote about your location being as safe as possible. It's always the poorer people or those down on their luck who get hammered. We will be thinking of you and your family and hope for the best for all Jamaicans.
Solly Mack
(96,581 posts)mentalsolstice
(4,646 posts)I know this isnt your first rodeo, and you have good sense. And youre right, its the aftermath of these storms that can be more devastating.
Good thoughts to you!
SSJVegeta
(2,533 posts)Sending prayers your way.
Dave Bowman
(6,845 posts)Hoping that you, your family, friends and everyone in Jamaica get through this safely!
cachukis
(3,726 posts)or appreciate the experience.
You are there. Hope it passes soon.
Experienced enough of them
cachukis
(3,726 posts)😀
yellow dahlia
(5,071 posts)We need you here at DU keeping us informed.
malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
yellow dahlia
(5,071 posts)Do many folks have generators on the island?
malaise
(293,742 posts)Back in 1988 a good friend (actually ran into him and his daughter at a pharmacy today) had a generator and every night hed bring me two cold Red Stripe and a bottle of cold water😀
yellow dahlia
(5,071 posts)That's so Jamaica.
I used to be a bartender, so I am familiar w/ Red Stripe.
malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
Ocelot II
(129,618 posts)Hang in there, we'll be thinking of you. Keep us posted if/when you can.
AllaN01Bear
(28,790 posts)mountain grammy
(28,771 posts)Dear Melissa, please go away,
malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
BumRushDaShow
(166,725 posts)and the system has finally started to intensify. Went from 45 mph to 65 mph with the last update.
malaise
(293,742 posts)Should be Cat 1 overnight
Alliepoo
(2,783 posts)I hope somehow that storm changes direction. Stay safe.
ultralite001
(2,395 posts)Key Messages:
1. Jamaica: Due to Melissas slow motion, a prolonged multi-day
period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall resulting in potentially
catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides is likely to
begin late Saturday or Sunday. There is an increasing risk of
life-threatening storm surge when the center of Melissa nears
Jamaica early next week. Preparations to protect life and property
should be rushed to completion.
2. Haiti: Heavy rainfall will result in catastrophic flash flooding
and landslides across southwestern Haiti into early next week.
Extensive damage to roads and buildings is expected, potentially
isolating communities for an extended period of time. Immediate
preparations to protect life and property should be taken. Strong
winds could also potentially last for a day or more over the Tiburon
peninsula of Haiti.
3. Dominican Republic: Heavy rainfall could produce potentially
catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides in southern
portions of the Dominican Republic.
4. Eastern Cuba and Bahamas: Interests in Cuba and the Bahamas
should monitor the progress of Melissa since there is an increasing
risk of a significant storm storm surge, damaging winds, and heavy
rainfall by the middle of next week. The risk of life-threatening
flash flooding and landslides in eastern Cuba are increasing.
FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS
96HRS 28/1800Z 17.9N 77.4W 120 KT 140 MPH...INLAND IN JAMAICA
120HRS 29/1800Z 21.5N 74.8W 95 KT 110 MPH...OVER WATER
Another Air Force Reserve and a NOAA-P3 reconnaissance mission
will be in the storm tonight to provide more data on Melissa's intensity
and structure.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?atl
MiHale
(12,721 posts)Diamond_Dog
(39,980 posts)debm55
(57,261 posts)orangecrush
(29,071 posts)And keep us updated when you can.
KS Toronado
(23,298 posts)sounds like you're well prepared for this storm if it hits you, I'll still say some prayers if
it does hit you. Please stay safe.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(24,624 posts)That was one horrid storm.
surfered
(12,166 posts)Our house was relatively unscathed only requiring new shingles on the roof and there was with no serious water penetration. The concrete high-rise condos near us had water penetration thru the roofs.
We could live in our house, but it took two years of repairs before the condo residents could return to their units.
Theres a lot of luck involved in these events and Im wishing you and your countrymen the best of luck.🙏
malaise
(293,742 posts)JA hadnt had an island-wide hurricane in decades. No one needs more than one of those big ones.😀
democrank
(12,334 posts)Hoping for the best for you, your family and everyone in this storms path.
IcyPeas
(25,048 posts)I dont mean it's the actual worst but.... being out of touch for days is so..... so.... I don't know, but I hate it.
I have flashlights in every room now (since the 1994 Northridge earthquake) I discovered that being in the absolute dark was very scary to me.
Please be safe Malaise. We're all keeping watch and keeping you in our thoughts.
malaise
(293,742 posts)I was in a patty and pastry shop yesterday and a young medic held the door open for me. The line was long and we started talking. She said the thought of not having internet coverage was frightening her.
Gen X and GenZ cannot contemplate no internet. We cope better in that area.
a kennedy
(35,496 posts)Scrivener7
(58,739 posts)CaptainTruth
(8,068 posts)I will wish you the best & keep you in my thoughts!
Stay safe!!!
Liberal In Texas
(16,058 posts)CaptainTruth
(8,068 posts)The predicted path shifted east over the past day, I will hope it continues shifting east away from the island!

electric_blue68
(26,308 posts)🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
calimary
(89,231 posts)And if its possible to keep us posted, please do.
Cuz otherwise, were gonna worry.
FakeNoose
(40,514 posts)This is just really scary news .... Prayers for you and your loved ones.
BigmanPigman
(54,750 posts)fully funded and prepared or has that changed along with everything else tRump-related?
maveric
(17,019 posts)niyad
(130,252 posts)scipan
(2,998 posts)Don't know how high above sea level you are.
You're probably more experienced than I am.
Something that floats.
canetoad
(20,349 posts)You are usually so pragmatic about the weather. Keep your head down and I hope you can report back to us soon after it's over.
malaise
(293,742 posts)Were hearing 23 inches of rain plus Cat3/4 winds.
There will be a massive loss of life
mcar
(45,769 posts)Blessings on all Jamaicans.
Response to mcar (Reply #105)
malaise This message was self-deleted by its author.
malaise
(293,742 posts)37 years
Charlie 1951
Gilbert 1988
Melissa 2025
I really hope you.and yours stay safe, malaise.
denbot
(9,948 posts)Last edited Sat Oct 25, 2025, 01:49 PM - Edit history (1)
We were on a U.S.Guided Missile Destroyer, and still with our best efforts we exceeded max roll (a possible capsize), This thing is an order of that magnitude greater of a storm. Like everyone one else, I hope you can get on high ground and the best to you, and well everyone. Love to you and yours, DU.
peacebuzzard
(5,828 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)will be among the worst hit.
Kingston cant handle this.
By the way Guantanamo Bay will face the same damage.
marmar
(79,396 posts)Take care.
malaise
(293,742 posts)Well pretty much be without communications from tomorrow or Monday until at least Friday.
peacebuzzard
(5,828 posts)in a safe as possible place. With provisions, water, blankets, backup battery power for several days, radio with auxiliary power, a power backup for cell phone.
I am praying for the downgrade and disintegration of this storm prior to landfall.
Response to malaise (Original post)
Prairie_Seagull This message was self-deleted by its author.
Jeanette in FL
(3,358 posts)I am glad that you have your preparations in place. Stay safe and know that you, your family and Jamaica will be in our prayers. I know that you will let us know when you can. Lots of Love.
ReRe
(12,181 posts)I have a thousand questions, but I'll ask only one. Will you be with others on Tuesday? Love you, my DU friend.
Thanks.
allegorical oracle
(6,289 posts)days". Please stay safe.
malaise
(293,742 posts)😀
HipChick
(25,586 posts)I've already have about 5 days of rain from the outskirts of it..Looks like they are calling for a Cat 5
malaise
(293,742 posts)Roy Rolling
(7,474 posts)Slow down
malaise
(293,742 posts)And is currently moving at 1mph while strengthening - a real worst case scenario of rain, wind and slow movement.
Pacifist Patriot
(25,203 posts)barbtries
(31,191 posts)Stay safe Malaise!!
Blue Owl
(58,466 posts)bluestarone
(21,535 posts)Keep all eyes on any trees and wind directions!! Be safe!!
crickets
(26,168 posts)while watching the Ryan Hall Y'all forecast on YT. Please stay safe!
Duncanpup
(15,651 posts)multigraincracker
(37,114 posts)Ill buy the book and go see the movie.
Trying hard to picture the silver lining.
Got to be tens of thousands of us here that will take you in if you get out. I know I would.
malaise
(293,742 posts)Ill be fine. Sibling, nieces, nephews and cousins shared the same kind thoughts.
The warnings on TV are almost comical.
malaise
(293,742 posts)https://www.facebook.com/NSGuantanamoBay/posts/non-mission-essential-us-citizens-will-be-moving-off-the-island-as-early-as-satu/1256241379877164/
Non-mission-essential U.S. citizens will be moving off the island as early as Saturday afternoon and no later than Sunday morning.
Please prepare your belongings. Ensure you have two weeks' worth of clothing and medication (as required). Personnel will be notified.
Each individual will be allowed one 40-pound bag and a carry-on item. Stand by for more directions on when your zone will be called to the Windjammer to get orders.
If you are traveling with a pet, please have your orders in hand prior to visiting the Veterinary Clinic. Stay connected to social media for more information, listen to the giant voice, and stay safe.
spanone
(141,165 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)and getting stronger still moving West at 5 mph.
Just light rain here overnight.
Look at that eye.
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/252101.shtml?cone#contents
helpisontheway
(5,370 posts)malaise
(293,742 posts)Not much rain here yet - that will change