Hurricane the storm Grows Stronger While Heads Towards the Island Nation
Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a rare Category 5 hurricane as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.
The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, based on data from weather experts.
Alerts of power cuts and structural damage have been released as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.
This hurricane is the 13th named storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in November.
Category Five Storm Risk
A category five storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.
While Melissa is projected to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.
Urgent Preparations
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.
Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.
"Yet the most effective method to address anxiety and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."
Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.
Wider Impact
Alerts are also active for regions of the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.
Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Future Trajectory
Melissa is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.
Climate Background
Even though it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.
Prior to the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.