Hurricane Melissa is expected to continue strengthening and become a Category 5 hurricane, according to the NHC, Saturday, Oct. 25.

Historic, life-threatening flash flooding and landslides are expected in portions of Jamaica, southern Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the weekend, the NHC said. Peak storm surge heights could reach 9 to 13 feet above normal tide levels in Jamaica, accompanied by large and powerfully destructive waves.

Best-case scenario: “The best-case scenario for Florida would be if Melissa moves over eastern Cuba or Hispaniola and then gets pulled out to sea. That would spare Florida from impacts, though it would likely bring life-threatening and possibly catastrophic flooding to parts of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, and the Dominican Republic."

Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday, Oct. 25, and a major hurricane by Sunday, Oct. 26, the Hurricane Center said. Current forecasts predict Melissa will be a Category 4 storm early next week. A major hurricane is one that is a Category 3 or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

Hurricane Melissa has weakened back into a Category 2 hurricane after devastating Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. It is now heading towards Bermuda.

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to keep forecasters guessing but predictions now call for rapid intensification into Category 4 hurricane.