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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to become a rare category five storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Warnings of power cuts and structural damage have been released as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

A highest-level hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though Melissa is set to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of harmful winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"However the best way to handle nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to gather essentials.

Regional Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

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

Future Path

This weather system is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and entering the open ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is challenging to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

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

Prior to the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities projected increased storm frequency, referencing warmer seas and potential enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.