However, scientists said, the world is measurably warmer than it was a century ago. Hurricane hotspots like the Caribbean Sea and parts of the Atlantic Ocean are hotter, giving Melissa additional fuel to become powerful. That warmer water also makes for a more humid atmosphere; storms can more easily wring more rain out of wetter air.

The storm's slow movement is expected to bring a deluge of rain to multiple countries in the Caribbean, and prolong its dangerous impacts over a period of several days.

Hurricane Melissa's death toll has risen after the storm left a trail of destruction in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba — and now heads for the Bahamas.

Hurricane Melissa has strengthened into a major Category 3 hurricane, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica

Officials say at least 25 people have died across Haiti. In Cuba, officials report collapsed houses and blocked roads, with 735,000 people in shelters. Jamaica faces widespread power outages and communication blackouts.

The Union have extended their donation drive to collect items for people affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean. They have also expanded the effort, now including goalkeeper Andre Blake’s Jamaica and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques’ Haiti.

In Cooper City, Brittany and Dwayne Wolfe have offered up their home as a drop-off site for diapers and other necessities. The couple are the cofounders of The Greater Fort Lauderdale Diaper Bank, and many of the organization’s volunteers and supporters grew up in Jamaica or still have family on the island.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwest Jamaica near the coastal town of Black River, which the government has described as “ground zero.”