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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a uncommon highest-level cyclone as it veers towards Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and landslides.

The hurricane, which registered wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of power cuts and disruption to utilities have been issued as this storm brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

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

Most Intense Storm Threat

A category five hurricane is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to weaken to a category four cyclone before reaching Jamaica, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the national capital - advisories emphasize that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and intense precipitation have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and many rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The country's head of government the official said: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are worried, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"But the optimal approach to manage anxiety and any nervousness and worry is to be prepared."

Residents are being told to protect their properties with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Regional Impact

Warnings are also in effect for parts of the neighboring country encompassing the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring comparable impacts by the midweek period.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Course

This weather system is predicted to cross the island nation by midweek before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Background

Although it is hard to link individual weather events to climate change, researchers say it is resulting in meteorological events more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures create more moisture in the air, helping fuel the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the beginning of the current Atlantic hurricane season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing warmer seas and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.