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Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers in the direction of the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.

The cyclone, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm brings up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to address nervousness and any nervousness and concern is to stay ready."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Consequences

Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Course

This weather system is forecast to cross the island nation by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

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

Weather Connection

Although it is hard to link specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is making meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.