Cyclone Melissa Intensifies While Moves In the Direction of the Island Nation
Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five cyclone as it turns toward Jamaica, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to reach land by midweek, based on data from meteorological authorities.
Advisories of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as Melissa brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been advised.
The cyclone is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.
Highest-Level Cyclone Risk
A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Even though the hurricane is projected to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the island.
Urgent Readiness Measures
With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it passes over central Jamaica - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".
"Several days of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many landslides," advised meteorological officials.
The nation's leader the statesman said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.
"But the optimal approach to address worry and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."
Locals are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.
Regional Consequences
Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.
Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.
Future Trajectory
This weather system is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.
By the point it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.
Climate Connection
Even though it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in climate patterns more prevalent and more severe.
Higher ocean heat generate more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the development of storms.
Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems often form.
