🔗 Share this article Hurricane the storm Intensifies As It Moves Toward the Island Nation The hurricane has impacted neighboring nations Tropical Storm Melissa is predicted to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. The cyclone, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists. Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told. This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November. Most Intense Cyclone Danger A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h. While the hurricane is projected to diminish in strength to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it hits the island. Immediate Readiness Measures With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it moves across the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly". "An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple rock slides," advised weather authorities. The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned. "But the optimal approach to address nervousness and any nervousness and concern is to remain prepared." Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities. Wider Effects Advisories are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period. Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to local authorities. Expected Course Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean. By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three hurricane. Climate Connection Even though it is challenging to link specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe. Higher ocean heat create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the formation of storms. Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems often form.