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Hurricane Melissa is predicted to escalate to a rare Category 5 hurricane as it veers in the direction of Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

This weather system, which recorded winds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is now shifting toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is anticipated to reach land by midweek, according to weather experts.

Advisories of electricity outages and damage to infrastructure have been issued as the hurricane produces up to thirty inches of precipitation and coastal flooding as high as 13ft above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," locals have been told.

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

Most Intense Cyclone Risk

A category five cyclone is the strongest type, with wind speeds of at least 252 km/h.

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

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force wind and rainfall already expected ahead of it crosses central Jamaica - including potentially the capital, Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"An extended timeframe of harmful winds and intense precipitation are underway and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and many rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The country's head of government the statesman stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are concerned, who are extremely apprehensive, and with good reason: concern is justified.

"However the optimal approach to handle anxiety and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Inhabitants are being instructed to secure their homes with sand barriers and wooden boards, and to stock up on necessary supplies.

Wider Impact

Warnings are also ongoing for areas in Haiti such as the capital, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where the hurricane is expected to bring analogous consequences by the middle portion of the coming week.

Mudslides presently generated by the cyclone have resulted in two fatalities in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Future Trajectory

The hurricane is predicted to move across Cuba by midweek before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 hurricane.

Environmental Connection

Although it is hard to link particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, experts say it is resulting in weather phenomena more common and more severe.

Increased sea temperatures produce additional humidity in the environment, contributing to the creation of hurricanes.

Before the beginning of this year's Caribbean cyclone season, weather organizations predicted above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and likely stronger monsoon activity around the western African continent - where Atlantic storms frequently develop.