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Cyclone the storm is projected to escalate to a rare category five hurricane as it turns towards the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous sudden floods and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Hurricane Risk

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

While this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a category four storm before making landfall on the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Preparations

With storm-force gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance long before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the national capital - advisories state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of harmful winds and intense precipitation have begun and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many landslides," urged meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the statesman said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: you should be concerned.

"However the best way to manage worry and any unease and worry is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also active for areas in Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Trajectory

This weather system is predicted to pass over the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have diminished to a Category 3 hurricane.

Weather Connection

While it is hard to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, referencing heated marine conditions and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.