🔗 Share this article Cyclone Melissa Grows Stronger As It Barrels In the Direction of the Island Nation The cyclone has struck neighboring nations Hurricane the storm is projected to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it veers toward the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, as reported by weather experts. Alerts of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised. The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November. Highest-Level Cyclone Danger A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph. Although the hurricane is expected to weaken to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on 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. Immediate Readiness Measures With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly". "A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many landslides," urged climate experts. Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified. "But the most effective method to handle anxiety and any unease and worry is to be prepared." Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate basic necessities. Regional Effects Warnings are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week. Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency. Future Course Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean. By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level storm. Climate Context While it is difficult to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe. Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the environment, aiding in the creation of hurricanes. Before the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.