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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to strengthen into a infrequent Category 5 cyclone as it turns toward Jamaica, causing deadly flash flooding and landslides.

The cyclone, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by meteorological authorities.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been announced as this storm generates up to 76cm of rainfall and storm surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been advised.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which normally finishes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Cyclone Risk

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although this storm is set to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "almost no noticeable change in the total effects" upon making contact with land, and that the cyclone will be "just as powerful" when it hits the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation anticipated well in advance ahead of it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and torrential rain has started and will cause devastating and dangerous sudden floods and multiple rock slides," counseled climate experts.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness commented: "I understand that there are numerous residents who are concerned, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the most effective method to handle nervousness and any nervousness and anxiety is to remain prepared."

Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with sand barriers and timber panels, and to stock up on basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in the neighboring country such as the primary urban center, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is anticipated to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Rock slides currently triggered by the hurricane have caused two deaths in the country, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

Melissa is predicted to cross Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Caribbean archipelago and out into the Atlantic.

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

Weather Background

Although it is challenging to link particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, researchers say it is causing weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more extreme.

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

Prior to the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, citing heated marine conditions and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where tropical systems frequently develop.