🔗 Share this article

Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

This hurricane is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A highest-level storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

While Melissa is set to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain already expected well before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to manage nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

This weather system is forecast to move across the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Connection

Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to global warming, experts say it is making weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.