Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, threatening the northern Caribbean with massive rainfall and life-threatening flooding

Tropical Storm Melissa has neared hurricane strength, threatening the northern Caribbean with potentially catastrophic rainfall, flooding and landslides.

Tropical Storm Melissa continued its slow slog across the Caribbean Sea on the morning of Oct. 25, and forecasters said the storm is expected to rapidly intensify over the next 24 hours, potentially powering up to a Category 4 or 5 hurricane with winds over 150 mph.

Hurricane Melissa is on track to rapidly strenghten and could become a major Category 5 hurricane, according to the NHC, Saturday, Oct. 25.

Fishermen lift and secure a small boat along the shoreline as they prepare for the arrival of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 25,

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to rapidly intensify over the weekend into a Category 4 hurricane, and could get even stronger. See whether Florida residents should be concerned. Catastrophic flash flooding is expected in Hispaniola and Jamaica.

U.S. forecasters issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica as Tropical Storm Melissa threatened catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean. A hurricane warning means winds of at least 74 mph (119 kph) are expected in the area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to intensify into a hurricane in the Caribbean on Saturday, bringing with it catastrophic flash flooding and potential landslides