🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm the storm is projected to strengthen into a uncommon category five storm as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Alerts of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa generates up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Most Intense Hurricane Danger

A category five storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though the hurricane is projected to weaken to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple mudslides," counseled climate experts.

The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the best way to manage worry and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Effects

Warnings are also in effect for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Future Path

The hurricane is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

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

Climate Context

Even though it is hard to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making meteorological events more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.