Tropical Storm Melissa is gaining strength over the Caribbean and is forecast to evolve into a powerful, slow-moving hurricane that will unleash significant flooding and destructive winds on a region that has largely avoided any tropical activity so far this Atlantic hurricane season.

A hurricane watch is in effect for part of Haiti, while a tropical storm watch is in effect for Jamaica. Melissa was drifting west-northwest at 3 mph with maximum sustained winds up to 50 mph as of Thursday morning.

"The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. "More of a westward track would tend to spare Hispaniola from the heaviest rain and flooding."

"The chances of a direct U.S. hit from Melissa are low righ

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