Hurricane Melissa Grows Stronger As It Moves In the Direction of the Island Nation
Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts toward Jamaica, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.
The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by meteorological authorities.
Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.
The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.
Category Five Cyclone Danger
A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.
Even though the hurricane is expected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it hits the country.
Critical Safety Steps
With storm-force winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the national capital - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".
"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.
The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified.
"However the optimal approach to address nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."
Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.
Broader Consequences
Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.
Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.
Future Trajectory
This weather system is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the open ocean.
By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 hurricane.
Climate Connection
Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.
Warmer oceans create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.
Prior to the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.
