🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it veers toward the Caribbean island, causing dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a category four storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected long before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and multiple landslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to address worry and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."

Residents are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Regional Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to cross Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Context

Although it is difficult to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, 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.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.