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Hurricane Melissa is projected to become a rare category five cyclone as it turns towards Jamaica, delivering deadly rapid inundation and rock falls.

This weather system, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean region and is projected to hit the coast by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Alerts of power cuts and damage to infrastructure have been issued as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above ground. "Take cover without delay," residents have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Even though this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall predicted to begin well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and multiple rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to address anxiety and any unease and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with protective bags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Broader Effects

Advisories are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Trajectory

Melissa is forecast to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Context

While it is challenging to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is making weather phenomena more common and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the beginning of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms often form.