Environment

Melissa is now traveling over Cuba, with strong, violent winds and extreme rainfall. Up to 16 inches of rain is possible for eastern Cuba.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba early Wednesday as a Category 3 storm after pummeling Jamaica.

A significant frontal boundary will usher in the coolest air of the season with temperatures reaching the 40s across the Interstate 10 corridor.

Melissa is likely to make landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane early on Tuesday. Catastrophic damage is forecast.

Weather experts say if forecasts become less accurate, the public will lose faith in them — and residents will be less likely to heed warnings when their lives are in danger.

Melissa went from 75 mph to 140 mph in less than 24 hours. Jamaica braces for direct impact.

The Dominican Republic is dealing with severe flooding, while Jamaica will likely be hit by a major hurricane late this weekend.

Melissa will crawl over the Caribbean. Heavy rains and dangerous flooding are expected in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

The new law effectively freezes local land-development regulations and comprehensive plans through Oct. 1, 2027.

The conservationist and humanitarian visited the Tampa area multiple times over the years, explaining to children how they can positively impact their communities.