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Cyclone Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon category five cyclone as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, bringing dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to hit the coast by Tuesday, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa produces up to 76cm of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in the current Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Category Five Hurricane Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

Although the hurricane is set to weaken to a category four cyclone before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the city of Kingston - warnings indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple mudslides," counseled weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to handle worry and any nervousness and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.

Wider Effects

Advisories are also in effect for regions of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Projected Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to pass over the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level storm.

Climate Connection

Although it is challenging to connect specific storms to climate change, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat produce more moisture in the environment, aiding in the creation of storms.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.