Hurricane Melissa threatens catastrophic flash flooding and landslides in the Caribbean
Source: AP
By ISABELLA O’MALLEY
Updated 7:24 PM CDT, October 27, 2025
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The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned Monday that Hurricane Melissa could cause catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides in parts of Jamaica, Cuba and Hispaniola.
The annual death toll due to landslides in the U.S. is an average of 25-50 people and thousands globally, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Landslides — defined by the USGS as “the movement of a mass of rock, debris or earth down a slope” — are capable of traveling tens of miles (kilometers) per hour and can damage homes and block roads and rail lines.
Earthquakes, heavy rain and changes to the soil, such as construction or agricultural practices, can trigger landslides.
Melissa’s relatively slow movement, path over mountainous terrain and “tremendous” rainfall amounts up to 40 inches (102 centimeters) in certain localities are ingredients that are contributing to a “worrisome” landslide risk, said Brian Tang, a professor of atmospheric science at University at Albany.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/landslide-hurricane-rain-jamaica-cuba-hispaniola-f8256e538db4130cba2b2fc5909a5b80
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That's about the average annual rainfall for a typical Arkansas town 