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Hurricane Melissa is projected to strengthen into a infrequent Category 5 hurricane as it turns in the direction of Jamaica, delivering deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been released as Melissa generates up to thirty inches of rain and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," residents have been told.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A category five storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon reaching the coast, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it hits the country.

Critical Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - warnings state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and intense precipitation are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"Yet the most effective method to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to fortify their houses with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather essentials.

Broader Effects

Alerts are also active for regions of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Course

Melissa is projected to move across the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Environmental Background

While it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more intense.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and possible enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.