Hurricane the storm Grows Stronger As It Heads Towards Jamaica
Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 storm as it veers in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and landslides.
The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by early next week, according to hurricane specialists.
Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.
Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.
Highest-Level Cyclone Threat
A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four cyclone before reaching the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.
Immediate Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.
The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.
"However the best way to manage anxiety and any unease and concern is to stay ready."
Locals are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.
Wider Effects
Alerts are also active for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.
Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Future Course
The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three cyclone.
Environmental Connection
Although it is challenging to connect individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.
Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.
Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.