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Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it shifts toward Jamaica, bringing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Alerts of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa generates up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Even though Melissa is expected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," urged climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are very concerned, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"But the most effective method to handle anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to stay ready."

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Path

This weather system is predicted to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

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

Weather Background

Even though it is hard to connect specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.