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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon highest-level hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to hit the coast by midweek, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Threat

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is set to weaken to a category four storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the national capital - warnings indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being told to protect their properties with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Broader Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Course

Melissa is forecast to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a Category 3 storm.

Environmental Background

While it is difficult to link specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is making climate patterns more prevalent and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.