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Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to strengthen into a uncommon highest-level storm as it shifts in the direction of the Caribbean island, delivering dangerous flash flooding and rock falls.

The hurricane, which registered winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 06:00 GMT, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to weather experts.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been issued as Melissa produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," inhabitants have been told.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, which usually concludes in November.

Category Five Storm Threat

A highest-level storm is the most powerful category, with winds of at least 252 km/h.

Although the hurricane is set to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, authorities said there was "almost no noticeable change in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "at least that intensity" when it impacts the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-level wind and rainfall predicted to begin long before it crosses the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts emphasize that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"Several days of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall are underway and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening sudden floods and many mudslides," urged weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"But the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any unease and worry is to stay ready."

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

Regional Impact

Advisories are also ongoing for areas in Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and Cuba's eastern region, where this storm is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

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

Projected Path

This weather system is projected to pass over Cuba by Wednesday before passing across the Antillas Mayores and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it arrives at the Caribbean nation, it is predicted to have reduced to a third-level hurricane.

Weather Context

Although it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to environmental shifts, scientists say it is resulting in weather phenomena increasingly frequent and more severe.

Warmer oceans produce additional humidity in the air, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Ahead of the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted increased storm frequency, referencing elevated ocean temperatures and potential stronger monsoon activity around West Africa - where Atlantic storms often form.