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Cyclone Melissa is projected to become a uncommon Category 5 storm as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, bringing deadly flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as the hurricane generates up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been advised.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A category five storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though Melissa is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before arriving at the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain already expected long before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of damaging winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple mudslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the statesman said: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

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

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate essentials.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also in effect for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Connection

Even though it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities projected above-normal activity, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and possible stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.