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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level storm as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, causing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, according to weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages 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 normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though this storm is projected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin well before it passes over the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and torrential rain are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous rock slides," advised climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"However the optimal approach to address worry and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Regional Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Path

This weather system is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a category three cyclone.

Weather Background

Even though it is hard to associate specific storms to global warming, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the environment, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Ahead of the start of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes often form.