🔗 Share this article

Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Threat

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Locals are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

The hurricane is forecast to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Climate Context

While it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of storms.

Prior to the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.