Tropical Storm Melissa Gains Power As It Moves In the Direction of the Island Nation
Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it shifts towards Jamaica, bringing dangerous rapid inundation and landslides.
This weather system, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, as reported by hurricane specialists.
Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged.
Melissa is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.
Highest-Level Storm Threat
A highest-level hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.
Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the nation.
Urgent Readiness Measures
With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected long before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".
"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised climate experts.
The country's head of government the official said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural.
"However the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."
Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.
Broader Impact
Alerts are also in effect for areas in Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.
Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.
Expected Path
Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic.
By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level storm.
Weather Connection
While it is challenging to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.
Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the creation of storms.
Ahead of the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.
