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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to escalate to a uncommon Category 5 storm as it shifts in the direction of Jamaica, delivering life-threatening flash flooding and landslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is projected to hit the coast by early next week, according to meteorological authorities.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as this storm generates up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as 13ft above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th hurricane in the current Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 storm is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

Although this storm is set to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before arriving at the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "at least that intensity" when it strikes the country.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation already expected ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - warnings indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause severe and deadly rapid water accumulation and multiple rock slides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official said: "I realize that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are very concerned, and rightfully so: concern is justified.

"Yet the most effective method to manage anxiety and any unease and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being instructed to protect their properties with protective bags and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti including the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

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

Projected Path

The hurricane is forecast to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before passing across the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the moment it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have diminished to a category three storm.

Climate Context

While it is challenging to associate individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Before the commencement of this season's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.