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Hurricane the storm is forecast to become a uncommon category five hurricane as it veers towards Jamaica, causing life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.

The hurricane, which recorded winds of up to 120 mph as of 06:00 GMT, is presently veering north-west in the Caribbean region and is expected to make landfall by Tuesday, based on data from hurricane specialists.

Advisories of electricity outages and structural damage have been released as the hurricane produces up to 30 inches of rainfall and storm surges as high as 4m above typical tides. "Take cover without delay," residents have been urged.

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

Highest-Level Hurricane Danger

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

Even though this storm is projected to diminish in strength to a Category 4 hurricane before arriving at the island, meteorologists said there was "very little practical difference in the total effects" upon landfall, and that the hurricane will be "equally strong" when it impacts the island.

Critical Safety Steps

With storm-force winds and rain predicted to begin well before it passes over the island's interior - possibly even the capital, Kingston - advisories indicate that "safety measures need to be finalized quickly".

"A multi-day period of destructive gusts and heavy rainfall have begun and will cause catastrophic and life-threatening rapid water accumulation and numerous rock slides," counseled weather authorities.

The country's head of government the statesman commented: "I know that there are many Jamaicans who are anxious, who are deeply troubled, and appropriately: concern is justified.

"Yet the optimal approach to handle nervousness and any apprehension and anxiety is to stay ready."

Residents are being advised to fortify their houses with sandbags and wooden boards, and to gather basic necessities.

Wider Effects

Alerts are also active for areas in Haiti including the main city, Port au Prince, the adjacent nation and the eastern part of Cuba, where this storm is anticipated to bring similar effects by the middle portion of the coming week.

Landslides currently triggered by the cyclone have caused two deaths in Haiti, according to emergency services.

Expected Trajectory

The hurricane is forecast to move across Cuba by Wednesday before moving through the Greater Antilles and emerging into the Atlantic Ocean.

By the time it makes contact with Cuba, it is forecast to have diminished to a Category 3 cyclone.

Environmental Background

Even though it is hard to associate particular meteorological occurrences to global warming, scientists say it is making climate patterns more common and more intense.

Warmer oceans create more moisture in the environment, helping fuel the creation of storms.

Prior to the commencement of the current Atlantic storm period, weather organizations forecast higher-than-average occurrence, mentioning warmer seas and possible more intense weather patterns around African coastal regions - where Atlantic storms often form.