🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to become a uncommon category five cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as this storm produces up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the island.

Immediate Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

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

Regional Impact

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to cross the island nation by midweek before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Connection

While it is hard to connect specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is making weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.