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Tropical Storm the storm is projected to escalate to a rare highest-level cyclone as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing deadly sudden floods and mudslides.

The hurricane, which had wind speeds of up to 195 km/h as of 0600 Greenwich Mean Time, is presently veering northwest in the Caribbean and is anticipated to reach land by early next week, as reported by weather experts.

Advisories of blackouts and structural damage have been announced as the hurricane brings up to thirty inches of rain and sea level surges as high as thirteen feet above normal levels. "Find safe refuge immediately," inhabitants have been urged.

The cyclone is the 13th named cyclone in the current Atlantic storm period, which usually concludes in late autumn.

Category Five Storm Danger

A category five storm is the strongest type, with winds of at least 157mph.

Even though the hurricane is set to diminish in strength to a category four storm before reaching Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "minimal real distinction in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the storm will be "just as powerful" when it strikes the country.

Immediate Safety Steps

With tropical storm-strength gusts and precipitation already expected well before it passes over central Jamaica - including potentially the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "readiness efforts must be accelerated".

"A multi-day period of harmful winds and torrential rain has started and will cause severe and deadly flash flooding and numerous landslides," advised weather authorities.

Jamaican Prime Minister the official stated: "I realize that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: worry is natural.

"However the best way to manage worry and any apprehension and concern is to remain prepared."

Residents are being told to fortify their houses with sandbags and timber panels, and to accumulate necessary supplies.

Regional Consequences

Warnings are also active for parts of Haiti such as the main city, Port au Prince, the neighboring country and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is expected to bring analogous consequences by the midweek period.

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

Future Course

Melissa is projected to move across Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and emerging into the Atlantic.

By the point it arrives at Cuba, it is anticipated to have weakened to a third-level hurricane.

Climate Connection

While it is hard to link specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is making meteorological events increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Higher ocean heat create greater water vapor in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of tropical cyclones.

Ahead of the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations predicted higher-than-average occurrence, referencing warmer seas and potential more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where hurricanes often form.