🔗 Share this article

Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 storm as it veers towards the Caribbean island, delivering deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm brings up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Threat

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is expected to weaken to a fourth-level storm before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," counseled climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to address nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to stay ready."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Broader Consequences

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

Even though it is difficult to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more intense.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Ahead of the start of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems frequently develop.