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Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a rare category five storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing dangerous rapid inundation and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been issued as the hurricane produces up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named storm in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

While Melissa is expected to weaken to a category four hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected well before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - warnings emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"Yet the most effective method to address anxiety and any nervousness and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

This weather system is predicted to cross Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level storm.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.