Dozens of people were already in shelters in the Dominican Republic, and schools, businesses and government agencies were closed.

Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to bring days of heavy rain to the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica and may trigger life-threatening flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center says.

Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday and could become a hurricane later this week, forecasters said.

Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday as forecasters warned that heavy rain and flooding could hit Haiti and Jamaica later this week.

The storm in the Atlantic is forecast to stay out to sea. Another disturbance that could affect the U.S. was upgraded to Tropical Depression Nine.

Hurricane Humberto is now a major hurricane and should remain so for the next several days. Of more concern is the less strong of the two systems – Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 – which is set to become Tropical Storm Imelda over the weekend.

Starting Monday, Pinellas County residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton can apply for new recovery funds through the county’s People First Hurricane Recovery Programs.

MIAMI — Hurricane Gabrielle formed Sunday in the open Atlantic southeast of Bermuda, while Tropical Storm Narda emerged well off southern Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Moisture from what remains of Hurricane Priscilla in the Pacific will bring a chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms Thursday and Friday in Southern California. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are most likely Thursday inland and in the mountains.

Cape Coral approved more than $2.5 million worth of incentives for a new hotel. The city could reserve part of the hotel for hurricane response.