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Cyclone the storm is predicted to become a infrequent category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, according to weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm brings up to 76cm of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is set to weaken to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it crosses the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and numerous landslides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader the statesman commented: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Mudslides presently generated by the storm have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

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

Weather Context

Although it is challenging to link specific storms to global warming, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the environment, aiding in the creation of storms.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.