🔗 Share this article

Cyclone Melissa is projected to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, delivering dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Risk

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

While this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it hits the country.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and numerous landslides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Effects

Advisories are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

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

Future Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Environmental Connection

Even though it is difficult to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more intense.

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

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted increased storm frequency, referencing warmer seas and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.