🔗 Share this article Cyclone the storm Intensifies While Moves Toward the Island Nation The cyclone has struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic Tropical Storm the storm is predicted to become a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and rock falls. The cyclone, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists. Warnings of power cuts and structural damage have been issued as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised. Melissa is the thirteenth hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which typically ends in late autumn. Highest-Level Storm Threat A Category 5 hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h. Even though Melissa is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation. Immediate Safety Steps With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly". "Several days of harmful winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many mudslides," urged climate experts. The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural. "However the optimal approach to manage worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to stay ready." Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather necessary supplies. Wider Consequences Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week. Rock slides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services. Expected Trajectory The hurricane is predicted to pass over the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean. By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane. Weather Context Although it is difficult to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, researchers say it is resulting in climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme. Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of hurricanes. Before the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.