Hurricane Melissa Grows Stronger As It Moves Towards Jamaica
Cyclone the storm is forecast to become a rare highest-level cyclone as it shifts toward Jamaica, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.
This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by weather experts.
Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been announced as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.
Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.
Category Five Storm Risk
A highest-level hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
While Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.
Immediate Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected well before it crosses central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials.
The nation's leader the official said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.
"However the most effective method to handle worry and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."
Locals are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on necessary supplies.
Wider Impact
Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Projected Course
This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the open ocean.
By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.
Climate Background
Although it is difficult to connect specific storms to climate change, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.
Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the air, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.
Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where tropical systems often form.