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Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent Category 5 storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to reach land by midweek, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain already expected well before it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to address worry and any unease and concern is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also in effect for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Rock slides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

Melissa is projected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Context

Even though it is hard to connect particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Ahead of the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.