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Hurricane the storm is projected to become a infrequent highest-level cyclone as it veers toward Jamaica, bringing life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, according to hurricane specialists.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been announced as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Urgent Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain predicted to begin long before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and many rock slides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to handle worry and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Locals are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Weather Background

Even though it is difficult to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the development of storms.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.