Hurricane Melissa Gains Power While Moves In the Direction of the Island Nation

Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds 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 projected to hit the coast by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Most Intense Hurricane Risk

A highest-level storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.

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

Residents are being instructed to protect their properties with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Warnings are also active for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

This weather system is forecast to cross the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Connection

While it is difficult to link individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.