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Cyclone Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon Category 5 storm as it turns towards the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and mudslides.

The cyclone, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been issued as Melissa produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 4m above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in this year's Atlantic season, which usually concludes in November.

Highest-Level Cyclone Risk

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

Although this storm is expected to weaken to a fourth-level hurricane before reaching the island, experts said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the island.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength winds and rain already expected long before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - warnings state that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many rock slides," urged weather authorities.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

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

Residents are being advised to protect their properties with protective bags and timber panels, and to gather basic necessities.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to cross the island nation by midweek before moving through the Antillas Mayores and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it reaches Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three cyclone.

Weather Background

While it is difficult to associate individual weather events to global warming, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the development of hurricanes.

Prior to the commencement of this year's Atlantic storm period, weather organizations projected above-normal activity, mentioning warmer seas and potential stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where hurricanes frequently develop.