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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a infrequent category five hurricane as it veers in the direction of the Caribbean island, bringing deadly flash flooding and rock falls.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is currently turning north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa brings up to 30 inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named storm in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Hurricane Threat

A category five storm is the most intense classification, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although Melissa is projected to weaken to a Category 4 cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon reaching the coast, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it passes over central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"Several days of destructive gusts and intense precipitation are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," advised meteorological officials.

The nation's leader the statesman said: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the best way to handle nervousness and any unease and concern is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba, where Melissa is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Rock slides presently generated by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Future Path

This weather system is forecast to cross Cuba by midweek before traveling via the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have weakened to a category three hurricane.

Weather Context

Even though it is challenging to associate individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is causing climate patterns more prevalent and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures produce more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of storms.

Prior to the beginning of this season's Caribbean cyclone season, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and likely enhanced seasonal rains around the western African continent - where tropical systems typically originate.