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Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it turns toward Jamaica, delivering dangerous sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of blackouts and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although Melissa is expected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected long before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the national capital - alerts state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and numerous mudslides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader the statesman commented: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to address nervousness and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Path

The hurricane is projected to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the open ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Context

Although it is challenging to associate specific storms to climate change, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the air, aiding in the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.