🔗 Share this article Hurricane the storm Intensifies While Moves Towards Jamaica This powerful storm has impacted neighboring nations Cyclone the storm is projected to escalate to a infrequent category five storm as it shifts toward Jamaica, causing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls. This weather system, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists. Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged. Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which typically ends in November. Most Intense Hurricane Danger A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h. While the hurricane is set to weaken to a category four cyclone before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation. Urgent Readiness Measures With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated". "Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials. The country's head of government the statesman said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: worry is natural. "But the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and worry is to be prepared." Locals are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities. Broader Impact Alerts are also active for regions of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week. Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency. Projected Course Melissa is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean. By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a Category 3 storm. Climate Background Even though it is difficult to associate individual weather events to global warming, experts say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme. Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones. Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.