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Tropical Storm the storm is projected to escalate to a uncommon category five hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, causing deadly rapid inundation and landslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th storm in the current Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Even though this storm is expected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching 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-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the capital, Kingston - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple mudslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to manage worry and any unease and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also in effect for parts of Haiti encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, 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 presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Course

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

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Context

Even though it is hard to link individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create greater water vapor in the environment, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities forecast increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.