🔗 Share this article

Cyclone the storm is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, delivering deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Risk

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it crosses central Jamaica - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Impact

Advisories are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

This weather system is predicted to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and out into the open ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Weather Background

Although it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.