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Cyclone Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a rare highest-level storm as it shifts toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening sudden floods and landslides.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Alerts of blackouts and structural damage have been released as the hurricane brings up to 30 inches of rain and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

The cyclone is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which normally finishes in late autumn.

Most Intense Cyclone Risk

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Although this storm is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 storm before arriving at the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin well before it moves across the island's interior - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and multiple mudslides," advised climate experts.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: worry is natural.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle worry and any apprehension and worry is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Mudslides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Course

The hurricane is projected to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Context

While it is hard to associate individual weather events to climate change, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more common and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures produce greater water vapor in the air, contributing to the formation of hurricanes.

Prior to the start of this year's Atlantic hurricane season, climate agencies predicted above-normal activity, mentioning warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes typically originate.