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Hurricane the storm is projected to strengthen into a rare category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by midweek, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple rock slides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to manage worry and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for regions of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

The hurricane is projected to pass over Cuba by midweek before passing across the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Weather Context

While it is difficult to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures generate greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the formation of storms.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where tropical systems often form.