🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 cyclone as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, causing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

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

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Cyclone Threat

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin long before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many landslides," advised meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to handle worry and any nervousness and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

The hurricane is forecast to cross Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Climate Connection

While it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.