Tropical Storm Melissa Gains Power As It Barrels In the Direction of the Island Nation

Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 storm as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as Melissa produces up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Storm Danger

A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many rock slides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to handle anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also in effect for regions of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Future Course

Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a third-level cyclone.

Climate Background

Although it is challenging to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures generate more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.