Cyclone Melissa Grows Stronger While Moves Toward Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent highest-level cyclone as it veers towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of power cuts and structural damage have been released as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Hurricane Threat

A highest-level hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is projected to weaken to a category four cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it hits the nation.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," counseled meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to address worry and any unease and anxiety is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

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

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a third-level storm.

Weather Background

Although it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.