The latest hurricane report from the US National Hurricane Center says that Shelter has maximum sustained winds of over 80 km/h. In the most recent determination, the center of the storm was about 520km south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The storm is moving west at a speed of 19 km/h.
Hurricane Melissa has brought heavy rain to Hispaniola since October 22 as forecasters warn of significant flooding risks in parts of the Caribbean in the coming days.
Heavy rains have blocked traffic in the capital Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. The country's professional baseball matches have been canceled.
Meanwhile, Haitians are increasingly concerned about the possibility of major flooding. The country has been devastated by floods in previous typhoons.
A hurricane warning has been issued for southern Haiti, while Jamaica is under a tropical storm warning.
Heavy rain, rainfall of 120-250mm, is forecast for southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic until the end of October 24, with heavier rainfall possible in some locations.
Rain is also forecast for Jamaica, northern areas of Hispaniola, Aruba and Puerto Rico.
Heavy rains could continue after October 24 and there is a significant risk of flash floods and landslides in areas affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Hurricane Melissa is forecast to gradually strengthen in the coming days, but experts note that the path and direction of the storm are still uncertain, people in the Caribbean should be vigilant.
