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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts towards the Caribbean island, causing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to hit the coast by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and disruption to utilities have been announced as this storm generates up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," locals have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th named hurricane in the current Atlantic season, which typically ends in November.

Highest-Level Storm Threat

A highest-level cyclone is the most powerful category, with wind speeds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Although the hurricane is expected to reduce in intensity to a category four cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the country.

Urgent Safety Steps

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall anticipated well in advance ahead of it moves across central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts state that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and many landslides," counseled weather authorities.

The nation's leader the official said: "I understand that there are countless citizens who are anxious, who are very concerned, and appropriately: you should be concerned.

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

Locals are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and plywood sheets, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Wider Consequences

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the Dominican Republic and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring similar effects by the middle of next week.

Landslides already being caused by the cyclone have already killed two in Haiti, according to the nation's Civil Protection agency.

Future Course

This weather system is predicted to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before traveling via the Greater Antilles and out into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a category three hurricane.

Environmental Context

While it is hard to connect specific storms to climate change, experts say it is causing weather phenomena more prevalent and more extreme.

Increased sea temperatures generate more moisture in the air, aiding in the creation of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this season's Atlantic hurricane season, meteorological authorities predicted increased storm frequency, mentioning warmer seas and likely enhanced seasonal rains around West Africa - where tropical systems typically originate.