• Tropical Storm Melissa has killed one person in Haiti and poses risks for flash flooding.
• The storm is expected to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane by the weekend.
• Significant rainfall of up to 14 inches is projected for affected regions.
• The UN is preparing shelters and emergency aid for vulnerable populations in Haiti.
• Public schools and government offices in the Dominican Republic are closing due to the storm.

Tropical Storm Melissa has already claimed the life of an elderly man in the coastal town of Marigot in southern Haiti when a large tree fell, while five others have been injured in flooding in the central Artibonite area, according to the Civil Protection Agency. The storm is currently categorized as a tropical storm but is forecasted to strengthen significantly into a major hurricane by the end of the weekend, potentially reaching Category 4 status by Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph (45 mph), moving at a slow pace through the Caribbean Sea, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and ABC News.

The storm is expected to bring “catastrophic” flash flooding and landslides to the regions of Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. Forecasters are warning about heavy rainfall totals; up to 14 inches (36 cm) may accumulate in parts of Jamaica and up to 30 cm (12 inches) in southern Haiti, exacerbating already problematic conditions in these areas, as previous rainfall has saturated the ground, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and ABC News.

The United Nations has mobilized resources, preparing over 100 emergency shelters in southern Haiti to assist those affected by the storm's potential impacts. The regions are particularly vulnerable due to previous storms leading to widespread erosion and compounded by issues of gang violence and poverty that hinder evacuation preparedness and recovery efforts, as highlighted by South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

In the Dominican Republic, the storm has caused numerous water supply systems to fail, impacting more than half a million residents. Government officials have announced the closure of schools and other facilities in several provinces under alert for the storm's approach. The situation is serious, prompting officials to advise residents to remain cautious and remain indoors, reports Al Jazeera and ABC News.