Hurricanes

In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Fausto was expected to strengthen and become a hurricane by Monday night, the National Hurricane Center said.

Much of the Southeast had been dealing with a prolonged drought. Five to 10 inches of rain could fall in parts of Texas — which could cause life-threatening flooding.

The slow hurricane forecast for the Atlantic is linked to an expected El Niño pattern, but that should make for a very active season in the Pacific.

The agency forecasts 8 to 14 named storms, with 3 to 6 likely to become hurricanes.

The surprises were a reminder of the season's unpredictability — particularly in a warming world — even as forecasting gets more accurate.

"Seeing the videos and the photographs is one thing, but actually being there in person and seeing the damage is quite another," a local senator said. "It's heartbreaking."

Melissa has lost significant strength as it heads northeast toward the Canadian Maritimes.

Complex and difficult humanitarian operations are underway in Jamaica and Cuba, with the U.S. government and nonprofits among those distributing vital aid.

Melissa is making its way to Bermuda as Jamaica confronts the devastation from one of the most potent storms ever recorded.

More than 30 deaths are being attributed to the storm across Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, according to officials.