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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it veers toward the Caribbean island, bringing life-threatening rapid inundation and landslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to make landfall by midweek, based on data from weather experts.

Warnings of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been released as this storm produces up to thirty inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been told.

Melissa is the thirteenth storm in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Danger

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

While Melissa is expected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 cyclone before reaching Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain anticipated well in advance well before it moves across Jamaica's central region - including potentially the national capital - advisories state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall has started and will cause devastating and dangerous rapid water accumulation and multiple landslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"However the most effective method to handle anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with protective bags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also in effect for regions of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the Dominican Republic and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the storm have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Expected Course

The hurricane is predicted to move across the island nation by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have reduced to a category three storm.

Weather Background

Even though it is challenging to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, experts say it is resulting in climate patterns more prevalent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans produce more moisture in the environment, contributing to the formation of storms.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.