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Hurricane Melissa is forecast to become a rare highest-level cyclone as it shifts toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and rock falls.

This weather system, which had winds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is projected to reach land by midweek, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," residents have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th cyclone in this year's Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

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

Although Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 cyclone before arriving at Jamaica, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the nation.

Critical Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin well before it passes over Jamaica's central region - including potentially the capital, Kingston - advisories state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of damaging winds and heavy rainfall has started and will cause severe and deadly sudden floods and many landslides," counseled meteorological officials.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I know that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

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

Inhabitants are being advised to protect their properties with sandbags and wooden boards, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Broader Effects

Alerts are also ongoing for areas in the neighboring country such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring similar effects by the midweek period.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have resulted in two fatalities in the country, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to move across the island nation by midweek before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have diminished to a third-level cyclone.

Environmental Background

Even though it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is making climate patterns more common and more intense.

Increased sea temperatures create additional humidity in the atmosphere, helping fuel the formation of hurricanes.

Ahead of the beginning of the current Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms typically originate.