KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States’ National Hurricane Center (NHC) in its 11:00 am bulletin on Friday urged Jamaicans to rush their preparations to protect life and property to completion, citing the potential of strong winds and flooding rains beginning between Saturday and Sunday.

Early Friday, Melissa had stalled in the Caribbean Sea offshore Jamaica and Haiti; however, by 11:00 am, the storm had begun to move at a crawling pace of two miles per hour.

The NHC said that due to Melissa’s slow motion, the risk of a prolonged, multi-day period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides and storm surge continues to increase for Jamaica.

In relation to Haiti, the centre said heavy rainfall will result in catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across the southwest into early next week.

“Extensive damage to roads and buildings is expected, potentially isolating communities for an extended period of time. This is a life-threatening situation, and 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.”

The potential of life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides in the southern Dominican Republic remains due to heavy rainfall.

Interests in Cuba should also monitor the progress of Melissa since the risk of heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and storm surge appears to be increasing, the NHC said.

A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch remain in effect for Jamaica and the Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince.