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Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a uncommon highest-level hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, causing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," locals have been advised.

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

Highest-Level Cyclone Threat

A Category 5 storm is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While this storm is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the storm will be "equally strong" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain already expected well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - warnings state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and many landslides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

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

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Effects

Warnings are also in effect for areas in Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Projected Trajectory

This weather system is projected to cross Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

By the moment it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Background

While it is challenging to link specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is making climate patterns increasingly frequent and more severe.

Higher ocean heat produce additional humidity in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.