🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by midweek, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

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

While this storm is set to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple mudslides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the most effective method to handle worry and any apprehension and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Course

Melissa is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three storm.

Weather Context

Even though it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is causing meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.