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Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a rare Category 5 cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is projected to reach land by early next week, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane generates up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Most Intense Storm Threat

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple mudslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness commented: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to handle nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Warnings are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

Melissa is projected to cross the island nation by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level cyclone.

Weather Background

Even though it is hard to link specific storms to climate change, experts say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures generate more moisture in the air, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations forecast above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.