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Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a rare Category 5 storm as it veers towards Jamaica, delivering dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm brings up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

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

Highest-Level Hurricane Risk

A highest-level storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I understand that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are very concerned, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"However the most effective method to manage nervousness and any apprehension and concern is to stay ready."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Path

The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Context

Although it is difficult to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of hurricanes.

Before the start of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, referencing heated marine conditions and possible stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes typically originate.