Melissa underwent extreme rapid intensification, strengthening to a rare Category 5 with winds of 175 mph and stronger gusts, making it the strongest storm on the planet this year. Follow for live updates.

How Hurricane Melissa could turn US soldiers’ attention from bombing ‘drug boats’ to humanitarian aid - Many of the troops aboard 8 Navy warships are trained to assist in natural disasters

Hurricane Melissa moves toward Bermuda after more than 30 die across Caribbean More than 30 deaths are being attributed to the storm across Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, according to officials.

Across Jamaica, streets are littered with torn-off roofs, splintered wood and other debris left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Downed power lines have left communities in the dark, and many flooded and wind-damaged homes are unlivable.

At first light on Wednesday, the coastal communities of southwestern Jamaica bore the devastation of being in the direct path of Hurricane Melissa, as images emerging from the area show numerous homes destroyed, vehicles overturned, power lines downed and trees uprooted.

As communities continue to grapple with recovering from Hurricane Melissa, here's how people can support those who have been impacted by the storm.

Jamaicans warned this is ‘not the time to be brave’ as life-threatening storm nears landfall - At least seven people have already been killed as the storm batters the Caribbean with heavy winds and to

Jamaica is issuing an urgent alert against Hurricane Melissa websites attempting to exploit people’s generosity in the wake of the catastrophic storm that has caused dozens of death across the region.

Hurricane Melissa slammed into eastern Cuba on Wednesday, leaving behind widespread flooding, power outages and heavy damage — and sparking concern among Cuban Americans in South Florida.