🔗 Share this article

Hurricane the storm is predicted to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 storm as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

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

Highest-Level Storm Danger

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

While Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is predicted to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Background

While it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.