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
(130,045 posts)Qutzupalotl
(15,653 posts)Store food and water if you can.
h2ebits
(967 posts)snowybirdie
(6,551 posts)And stay safe
PJMcK
(24,678 posts)Arent you in the mountains? Im holding you in my thoughts.
Deuxcents
(25,397 posts)malaise
(292,358 posts)Damn
Deuxcents
(25,397 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
(292,358 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
(25,397 posts)peggysue2
(12,372 posts)You, your family, friends and neighbors. These hurricanes are do damn unpredictable.
Stay safe.
TBF
(35,520 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
(16,066 posts)RoseTrellis
(46 posts)no modern hurricane has hit from the south, all previous ones have been from east to west!
Stay safe!
SheltieLover
(76,276 posts)malaise
(292,358 posts)We all have contingency plans😀
SheltieLover
(76,276 posts)Clouds Passing
(6,872 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(10,201 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(10,201 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
(302 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
(292,358 posts)Last edited Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)
We move on
kerry-is-my-prez
(10,201 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
(302 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
(292,358 posts)This will be a Major triple blow - Haiti, Jamaica Cuba.
They are getting stronger faster.
JMCKUSICK
(4,986 posts)I know it's impossible and absurd but wow
Vinca
(53,262 posts)Sogo
(6,963 posts)Are you/can you evacuate????
flvegan
(65,700 posts)blogslug
(39,080 posts)Good thoughts. ❤️
spanone
(140,927 posts)If not hunker down!!!!!
DAMN
malaise
(292,358 posts)This too will pass😀
Stay safe
GoodRaisin
(10,705 posts)Hoping the best for you.
MuseRider
(35,100 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
(292,358 posts)Hopefully power will return quickly
dixiegrrrrl
(60,140 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
(292,358 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
(60,140 posts)bucolic_frolic
(53,865 posts)elleng
(141,926 posts)and we'll CONTINUE to do so.
LoisB
(12,279 posts)littlemissmartypants
(31,506 posts)FalloutShelter
(14,155 posts)irisblue
(36,694 posts)slightlv
(7,414 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
(12,279 posts)Ellipsis
(9,416 posts)malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
Ellipsis
(9,416 posts)They had it as a side story.
Be safe... load up on fresh water and stuff.
Best
malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
HipChick
(25,575 posts)IrishAfricanAmerican
(4,378 posts)Wounded Bear
(63,789 posts)Be as safe as you can. I know you'll likely experience some outage over that period.
Best wishes.
littlemissmartypants
(31,506 posts)rzemanfl
(31,083 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
(292,358 posts)One of my neighbors and I were laughing and saying seriouly this shit will be here until Tuesday or Wednesday?😀
SheltieLover
(76,276 posts)FalloutShelter
(14,155 posts)Malaise, please keep safe.
HeartsCanHope
(1,518 posts)raccoon
(32,189 posts)Mossfern
(4,604 posts)We'll be watching the weather, the news and waiting to here from you.
OLDMDDEM
(3,017 posts)Passages
(3,986 posts)Be safe.
Greybnk48
(10,660 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
(96,292 posts)mentalsolstice
(4,639 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
(2,243 posts)Sending prayers your way.
Dave Bowman
(6,555 posts)Hoping that you, your family, friends and everyone in Jamaica get through this safely!
cachukis
(3,636 posts)or appreciate the experience.
You are there. Hope it passes soon.
Experienced enough of them
cachukis
(3,636 posts)😀
yellow dahlia
(4,347 posts)We need you here at DU keeping us informed.
malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
yellow dahlia
(4,347 posts)Do many folks have generators on the island?
malaise
(292,358 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
(4,347 posts)That's so Jamaica.
I used to be a bartender, so I am familiar w/ Red Stripe.
malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
Ocelot II
(128,899 posts)Hang in there, we'll be thinking of you. Keep us posted if/when you can.
AllaN01Bear
(28,517 posts)mountain grammy
(28,644 posts)Dear Melissa, please go away,
malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
BumRushDaShow
(165,324 posts)and the system has finally started to intensify. Went from 45 mph to 65 mph with the last update.
malaise
(292,358 posts)Should be Cat 1 overnight
Alliepoo
(2,762 posts)I hope somehow that storm changes direction. Stay safe.
ultralite001
(2,355 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
(12,561 posts)Diamond_Dog
(39,690 posts)debm55
(54,970 posts)orangecrush
(28,145 posts)And keep us updated when you can.
KS Toronado
(22,946 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
(24,576 posts)That was one horrid storm.
surfered
(11,234 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
(292,358 posts)JA hadnt had an island-wide hurricane in decades. No one needs more than one of those big ones.😀
democrank
(12,084 posts)Hoping for the best for you, your family and everyone in this storms path.
IcyPeas
(24,796 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
(292,358 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
(35,226 posts)Scrivener7
(58,170 posts)CaptainTruth
(8,029 posts)I will wish you the best & keep you in my thoughts!
Stay safe!!!
Liberal In Texas
(15,953 posts)CaptainTruth
(8,029 posts)The predicted path shifted east over the past day, I will hope it continues shifting east away from the island!

electric_blue68
(25,685 posts)🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞
calimary
(88,918 posts)And if its possible to keep us posted, please do.
Cuz otherwise, were gonna worry.
FakeNoose
(40,048 posts)This is just really scary news .... Prayers for you and your loved ones.
BigmanPigman
(54,536 posts)fully funded and prepared or has that changed along with everything else tRump-related?
maveric
(17,008 posts)niyad
(129,380 posts)scipan
(2,971 posts)Don't know how high above sea level you are.
You're probably more experienced than I am.
Something that floats.
canetoad
(20,115 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
(292,358 posts)Were hearing 23 inches of rain plus Cat3/4 winds.
There will be a massive loss of life
mcar
(45,604 posts)Blessings on all Jamaicans.
Response to mcar (Reply #105)
malaise This message was self-deleted by its author.
malaise
(292,358 posts)37 years
Charlie 1951
Gilbert 1988
Melissa 2025
I really hope you.and yours stay safe, malaise.
denbot
(9,947 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
(5,793 posts)malaise
(292,358 posts)will be among the worst hit.
Kingston cant handle this.
By the way Guantanamo Bay will face the same damage.
marmar
(79,164 posts)Take care.
malaise
(292,358 posts)Well pretty much be without communications from tomorrow or Monday until at least Friday.
peacebuzzard
(5,793 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
(12,164 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
(6,141 posts)days". Please stay safe.
malaise
(292,358 posts)😀
HipChick
(25,575 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
(292,358 posts)Roy Rolling
(7,402 posts)Slow down
malaise
(292,358 posts)And is currently moving at 1mph while strengthening - a real worst case scenario of rain, wind and slow movement.
Pacifist Patriot
(25,186 posts)barbtries
(31,105 posts)Stay safe Malaise!!
Blue Owl
(58,131 posts)bluestarone
(21,086 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
(15,549 posts)multigraincracker
(36,876 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
(292,358 posts)Ill be fine. Sibling, nieces, nephews and cousins shared the same kind thoughts.
The warnings on TV are almost comical.
malaise
(292,358 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.
malaise
(292,358 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
(5,365 posts)malaise
(292,358 posts)Not much rain here yet - that will change