🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to become a rare Category 5 hurricane as it turns towards Jamaica, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

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

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a category four cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

Melissa is predicted to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Connection

Even though it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more common and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the environment, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the commencement of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.