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Cyclone the storm is predicted to escalate to a rare highest-level hurricane as it veers toward Jamaica, delivering deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

The hurricane, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa brings up to 76cm of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Take cover without delay," locals have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Danger

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is projected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain anticipated well in advance long before it passes over the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and numerous landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any apprehension and anxiety is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

This weather system is predicted to move across the island nation by midweek before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a third-level storm.

Weather Connection

Although it is hard to connect individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is causing climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, referencing heated marine conditions and possible enhanced seasonal rains around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms typically originate.