🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it veers in the direction of the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Most Intense Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While the hurricane is expected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it moves across central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to address nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather necessary supplies.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Environmental Context

Although it is difficult to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat generate additional humidity in the air, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.