CBS News Miami has been in touch with families living through the aftermath, including Marvin Edwards, who rode out the hurricane in Montego Bay.

At first light on Wednesday, the coastal communities of southwestern Jamaica bore the devastation of being in the direct path of Hurricane Melissa.

The storm left widespread destruction and at least dozens of deaths in its path. In Chicago, people are looking for ways to help.

NBC News' George Solis got a firsthand look at the damage after Hurricane Melissa devastated Jamaica — bringing down buildings, trees, power lines and roadways.

As Hurricane Melissa continues through the Caribbean, members of the Jamaican community in the Greater Boston area are anxiously trying to contact relatives back home.

NWS meteorologists at the Anchorage, Alaska, office issued a hurricane-force wind warning in the early morning hours on Wednesday. The office warned that winds could gust to 65 knots (74 mph), equivalent to a low-end Category 1 hurricane. The strong winds would cause 23-foot seas on Wednesday.

Disaster relief from the U.S. to Jamaica is delayed due to the government shutdown, but several private organizations are mobilizing to send relief after Hurricane Melissa. NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch spoke to one group packing up soup,

Hurricane Melissa is so severe that even hurricane tracking weather planes have been forced to avoid the storm.