As of 8:00 pm EDT, the center of Category 2 Hurricane Melissa is located about 425 miles south-southwest from Providenciales. Melissa is moving toward the west near 3 mph. A slow westward motion is expected tonight through the end of the weekend. A turn to the north and northeast is forecast on Monday and Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to continue over the next day or so, and Melissa is forecast to become a major hurricane tomorrow and is expected to still be a major hurricane when making landfall in Jamaica early next week.
The Turks and Caicos Islands could begin experiencing tropical storm or hurricane conditions midweek. Residents are urged to review and activate your hurricane action plan, Check and replenish essential supplies (food, water, first‐aid kit, medications, batteries). Secure outdoor objects (furniture, debris), trim tree branches, and consider sandbags or other flood‐mitigation steps Visitors: stay in contact with your hotel/lodging provider and follow any instructions from them.
Monitor updates from The Department of Disaster Management & Emergencies (DDME) and the Turks & Caicos National Weather Service for official information.
