🔗 Share this article

Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as Melissa produces up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

The cyclone is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in late autumn.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A highest-level storm is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While the hurricane is set to weaken to a Category 4 storm before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous landslides," advised meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also in effect for regions of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides presently generated by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Path

This weather system is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is challenging to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, scientists say it is making weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the development of storms.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms typically originate.