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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A highest-level cyclone is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it hits the nation.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin ahead of it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," counseled meteorological officials.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

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

Locals are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Projected Path

Melissa is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago 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 Connection

While it is difficult to connect individual weather events to climate change, scientists say it is making weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations projected higher-than-average occurrence, citing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.