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Hurricane Melissa is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level storm as it shifts toward Jamaica, causing life-threatening sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean and is expected to make landfall by early next week, as reported by hurricane specialists.

Warnings of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as this storm produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above ground. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

Melissa is the thirteenth cyclone in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in the eleventh month.

Category Five Storm Danger

A category five hurricane is the most intense classification, with wind speeds of at least 157mph.

Although Melissa is projected to reduce in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane before reaching the island, authorities said there was "very little practical difference in the general consequences" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it strikes the island.

Critical Readiness Measures

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation predicted to begin ahead of it moves across the island's interior - perhaps encompassing the capital, Kingston - alerts state that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"A multi-day period of damaging winds and intense precipitation has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and multiple mudslides," urged climate experts.

The nation's leader the official stated: "I realize that there are numerous residents who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and with good reason: worry is natural.

"Yet the most effective method to address nervousness and any unease and concern is to stay ready."

Inhabitants are being told to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on essentials.

Regional Consequences

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of the neighboring country such as the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where Melissa is expected to bring comparable impacts by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides already being caused by the hurricane have already killed two in the country, according to emergency services.

Projected Path

This weather system is forecast to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before traveling via the Greater Antilles and entering the open ocean.

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

Weather Context

Even though it is challenging to connect specific storms to global warming, researchers say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans generate additional humidity in the air, contributing to the development of storms.

Before the start of this season's Atlantic storm period, meteorological authorities predicted higher-than-average occurrence, citing warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around the western African continent - where hurricanes frequently develop.