🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman stated: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the most effective method to address worry and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

The hurricane is projected to pass over the island nation by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three storm.

Climate Background

Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to global warming, scientists say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Prior to the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.