Cyclone the storm Grows Stronger As It Heads Toward Jamaica
Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.
The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to reach land by midweek, based on data from meteorological authorities.
Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.
Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.
Highest-Level Cyclone Risk
A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four cyclone before arriving at the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.
Critical Preparations
With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities.
The nation's leader the statesman said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.
"But the most effective method to address nervousness and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."
Locals are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.
Wider Consequences
Advisories are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Mudslides already being caused by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.
Future Course
This weather system is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.
By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level storm.
Weather Connection
Even though it is difficult to connect specific storms to global warming, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the air, aiding in the development of tropical cyclones.
Before the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.
