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Hurricane the storm is forecast to escalate to a infrequent category five storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

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

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm brings up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 cyclone is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

While the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four hurricane before reaching the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon reaching the coast, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the official said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"But the best way to manage worry and any unease and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Wider Consequences

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the storm have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

This weather system is projected to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and out into the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 storm.

Climate Connection

While it is hard to associate individual weather events to global warming, scientists say it is causing climate patterns more common and more severe.

Higher ocean heat generate more moisture in the atmosphere, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.