Cyclone the storm Grows Stronger While Moves Towards Jamaica

Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon category five hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, causing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to make landfall by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and torrential rain are underway and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Impact

Alerts are also active for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

This weather system is forecast to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a category three storm.

Weather Connection

Although it is hard to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more common and more intense.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Before the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.