Hurricane Melissa Intensifies As It Heads Toward Jamaica
Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 storm as it shifts towards Jamaica, delivering life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.
The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, according to weather experts.
Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.
Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.
Highest-Level Storm Danger
A category five storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.
Although this storm is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the island.
Urgent Safety Steps
With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance long before it moves across central Jamaica - possibly even the national capital - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".
"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged climate experts.
The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.
"Yet the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any nervousness and concern is to remain prepared."
Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.
Broader Effects
Warnings are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.
Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Future Course
This weather system is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.
By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.
Weather Context
Even though it is difficult to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.
Increased sea temperatures create more moisture in the air, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.
Ahead of the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.
