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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a uncommon highest-level hurricane as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening rapid inundation and rock falls.

The cyclone, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean and is projected to reach land by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been released as Melissa brings up to thirty inches of rainfall and coastal flooding as high as 4m above normal levels. "Take cover without delay," residents have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season, which typically ends in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Danger

A category five hurricane is the strongest type, with sustained winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the nation.

Critical Readiness Measures

With storm-force gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it crosses the island's interior - possibly even the city of Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," urged climate experts.

The country's head of government Andrew Holness stated: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are worried, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

"Yet the optimal approach to address worry and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for parts of the neighboring country including the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where Melissa is anticipated to bring comparable impacts by the middle of next week.

Mudslides currently triggered by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Projected Path

The hurricane is forecast to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the Atlantic.

By the time it reaches the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have diminished to a Category 3 storm.

Climate Connection

Although it is hard to connect specific storms to climate change, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans generate more moisture in the atmosphere, contributing to the development of hurricanes.

Prior to the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around African coastal regions - where tropical systems typically originate.