Hurricane Melissa Grows Stronger As It Barrels Toward the Island Nation
Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, bringing deadly flash flooding and landslides.
This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from meteorological authorities.
Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm produces up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged.
The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.
Category Five Hurricane Risk
A category five storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.
While Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.
Critical Safety Steps
With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and multiple mudslides," advised weather authorities.
The country's head of government the official commented: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.
"However the most effective method to address worry and any unease and concern is to stay ready."
Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Regional Consequences
Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.
Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Projected Trajectory
The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.
Climate Connection
Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is causing climate patterns more common and more severe.
Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.
Ahead of the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.