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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a infrequent category five storm as it veers toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although the hurricane is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of harmful winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many mudslides," urged climate experts.

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

"But the optimal approach to address worry and any apprehension and worry is to be prepared."

Locals are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also active for regions of the neighboring country including the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Climate Background

Although it is difficult to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Before the start of the current Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.