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Tropical Storm the storm is forecast to become a uncommon Category 5 hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, bringing deadly sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been released as the hurricane generates up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

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

Most Intense Storm Risk

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is projected to weaken to a category four storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force winds and rain already expected long before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," advised weather authorities.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to address anxiety and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Residents are being advised to secure their homes with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also active for parts of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three storm.

Weather Background

Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat generate more moisture in the air, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where tropical systems frequently develop.