Cyclone Melissa Intensifies While Barrels Toward Jamaica

Cyclone Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon category five cyclone as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to make landfall by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before reaching the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Preparations

With storm-force winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness stated: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is projected to cross Cuba by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Climate Connection

While it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the air, helping fuel the development of storms.

Before the commencement of the current Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, citing warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes frequently develop.