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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a rare Category 5 storm as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Most Intense Storm Risk

A category five cyclone is the most intense classification, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple mudslides," advised meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the official said: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to manage nervousness and any unease and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Regional Effects

Alerts are also in effect for parts of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Path

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Background

Although it is difficult to link particular meteorological occurrences to climate change, researchers say it is making climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the development of storms.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast above-normal activity, citing elevated ocean temperatures and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.