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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 storm as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 6:00 AM GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, based on data from meteorological authorities.

Alerts of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa generates up to 76cm of rain and storm surges as high as 4m above ground. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the thirteenth cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which normally finishes in November.

Category Five Storm Threat

A Category 5 cyclone is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

While Melissa is expected to weaken to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to manage worry and any apprehension and anxiety is to be prepared."

Locals are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also in effect for areas in the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is projected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Landslides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

Melissa is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and entering the open ocean.

By the moment it makes contact with Cuba, it is predicted to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Background

While it is difficult to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena more prevalent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of storms.

Before the start of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, mentioning elevated ocean temperatures and potential enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems typically originate.