Hurricane the storm Gains Power While Heads Towards the Island Nation
Cyclone the storm is forecast to strengthen into a rare highest-level hurricane as it turns in the direction of the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous sudden floods and landslides.
The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities 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," residents have been advised.
The cyclone is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in late autumn.
Most Intense Storm Danger
A category five cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level storm before reaching the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the island.
Critical Preparations
With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - possibly even the national capital - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous rock slides," urged climate experts.
The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.
"Yet the best way to manage worry and any unease and worry is to be prepared."
Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Wider Impact
Alerts are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.
Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.
Projected Trajectory
Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.
By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a category three cyclone.
Environmental Connection
Although it is difficult to connect individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.
Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.
Before the start of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.