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Hurricane the storm is projected to escalate to a infrequent highest-level storm as it turns toward Jamaica, bringing dangerous flash flooding and landslides.

This weather system, which registered wind speeds of up to 120 miles per hour as of 6:00 AM GMT, is currently turning toward the northwest in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by midweek, according to hurricane specialists.

Advisories of blackouts and damage to infrastructure have been announced as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of precipitation and storm surges as high as 4m above normal levels. "Seek shelter now," inhabitants have been advised.

This hurricane is the 13th named hurricane in the ongoing Atlantic storm period, which typically ends in late autumn.

Highest-Level Cyclone Danger

A Category 5 storm is the most powerful category, with sustained winds of at least 157 miles per hour.

Even though this storm is projected to reduce in intensity to a fourth-level cyclone before making landfall on Jamaica, meteorologists said there was "almost no noticeable change in the overall impacts" upon landfall, and that the cyclone will be "equally strong" when it hits the nation.

Critical Preparations

With tropical storm-level gusts and precipitation predicted to begin long before it crosses Jamaica's central region - possibly even the city of Kingston - alerts indicate that "preparations should be rushed to completion".

"Several days of damaging winds and torrential rain have begun and will cause devastating and dangerous flash flooding and multiple rock slides," urged meteorological officials.

The nation's leader Andrew Holness said: "I know that there are countless citizens who are worried, who are very concerned, and with good reason: you should be concerned.

"Yet the most effective method to manage nervousness and any unease and concern is to be prepared."

Residents are being instructed to secure their homes with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather essentials.

Broader Impact

Alerts are also ongoing for regions of Haiti such as the primary urban center, the adjacent nation and eastern Cuba, where the hurricane is projected to bring analogous consequences by the middle of next week.

Landslides presently generated by the hurricane have already killed two in Haiti, according to local authorities.

Expected Course

This weather system is predicted to pass over Cuba by the middle of the week before moving through the Caribbean archipelago and entering the Atlantic Ocean.

By the point it makes contact with the Caribbean nation, it is forecast to have reduced to a Category 3 cyclone.

Climate Background

Although it is hard to associate specific storms to environmental shifts, experts say it is causing climate patterns increasingly frequent and more extreme.

Warmer oceans create greater water vapor in the environment, aiding in the creation of storms.

Before the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, climate agencies forecast above-normal activity, referencing warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around West Africa - where hurricanes typically originate.