🔗 Share this article

Hurricane the storm is forecast to strengthen into a rare highest-level cyclone as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is projected to weaken to a category four hurricane before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official commented: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"But the most effective method to handle nervousness and any apprehension and worry is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

Melissa is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

Although it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is making weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.