Best-case scenario: “The best-case scenario for Florida would be if Melissa moves over eastern Cuba or Hispaniola and then gets pulled out to sea. That would spare Florida from impacts, though it would likely bring life-threatening and possibly catastrophic flooding to parts of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, and the Dominican Republic."

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane within hours, but the exact track remains uncertain — as does its threat to Florida. Here’s the latest forecast.

Tropical storm watches have been issued for several islands, including Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis.