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Tropical Storm the storm is predicted to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 cyclone as it shifts toward Jamaica, bringing dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as this storm brings up to 30 inches of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Storm Risk

A category five storm is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Immediate Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous mudslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a category three storm.

Environmental Background

Although it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, experts say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the development of storms.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.