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Cyclone Melissa is forecast to escalate to a infrequent category five cyclone as it turns toward the Caribbean island, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting north-west in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by early next week, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been released as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of rain and sea level surges as high as 13ft above typical tides. "Seek shelter now," residents have been urged.

Melissa is the 13th storm in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in November.

Most Intense Cyclone Risk

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

While Melissa is expected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level storm before making landfall on the island, experts said there was "very little practical difference in the overall impacts" upon making contact with land, and that the hurricane will be "just as powerful" when it impacts the island.

Urgent Preparations

With tropical storm-level winds and rain predicted to begin long before it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and numerous mudslides," urged climate experts.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the most effective method to handle nervousness and any apprehension and worry is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and timber panels, and to accumulate essentials.

Broader Consequences

Advisories are also in effect for regions of Haiti encompassing the primary urban center, the neighboring country and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

Mudslides currently triggered by the cyclone have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Expected Course

The hurricane is predicted to cross the island nation by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and out into the open ocean.

By the point it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is anticipated to have reduced to a category three cyclone.

Environmental Connection

While it is difficult to connect individual weather events to environmental shifts, scientists say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the environment, helping fuel the development of tropical cyclones.

Before the start of this year's Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast higher-than-average occurrence, citing heated marine conditions and likely more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes often form.