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Hurricane the storm is projected to strengthen into a rare Category 5 cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, delivering deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to make landfall by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Alerts of power cuts and structural damage have been announced as Melissa generates up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

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

Although this storm is set to weaken to a category four cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it strikes the country.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance well before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - advisories emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous rock slides," urged climate experts.

The country's head of government the official commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to handle anxiety and any nervousness and anxiety is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

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

Projected Course

Melissa is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

Although it is hard to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities predicted above-normal activity, citing heated marine conditions and potential more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.