🔗 Share this article Hurricane the storm Intensifies As It Moves Toward Jamaica The hurricane has already affected Haiti and the Dominican Republic Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to become a rare Category 5 hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, as reported by weather experts. Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm brings up to 76cm of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been urged. The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month. Most Intense Hurricane Danger A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h. Even though Melissa is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the country. Urgent Readiness Measures With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion". "A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities. The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: you should be concerned. "But the best way to manage nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared." Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials. Broader Consequences Warnings are also active for areas in the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week. Rock slides already being caused by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities. Future Path Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic. By the moment it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane. Weather Context Even though it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe. Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the air, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones. Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.