Tropical Storm Melissa Gains Power As It Barrels Toward Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare category five storm as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, causing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.
This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to make landfall by midweek, according to meteorological authorities.
Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as this storm generates up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.
The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.
Category Five Cyclone Threat
A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.
Urgent Readiness Measures
With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it crosses Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous landslides," urged weather authorities.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.
"However the optimal approach to address nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."
Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.
Broader Consequences
Advisories are also ongoing for regions of Haiti including the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.
Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.
Projected Course
Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.
By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a Category 3 storm.
Weather Connection
Even though it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the air, contributing to the creation of tropical cyclones.
Prior to the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.
