🔗 Share this article Hurricane Melissa Gains Power While Heads Towards Jamaica This powerful storm has already affected Haiti and the Dominican Republic Hurricane the storm is predicted to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly rapid inundation and rock falls. The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists. Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been urged. The cyclone is the thirteenth hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn. Highest-Level Cyclone Danger A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour. Even though Melissa is set to diminish in strength to a category four storm before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island. Urgent Preparations With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly". "Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: you should be concerned. "However the best way to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared." Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies. Regional Consequences Alerts are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period. Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to emergency services. Projected Trajectory Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean. By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three cyclone. Environmental Context While it is difficult to connect specific storms to global warming, experts say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme. Higher ocean heat generate greater water vapor in the atmosphere, aiding in the development of tropical cyclones. Prior to the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems often form.