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Cyclone the storm is projected to become a infrequent highest-level hurricane as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Seek shelter now," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th storm in this year's Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though the hurricane is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Immediate Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple mudslides," advised weather authorities.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"But the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

Melissa is forecast to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the open ocean.

By the point it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Environmental Background

Although it is difficult to link specific storms to global warming, experts say it is causing meteorological events more common and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the creation of storms.

Ahead of the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.