Storm's 185 mph winds are equivalent to EF4 tornado, threaten complete structural collapse and months-long power outages. Click to learn more.

The heart of Jamaican life centers around its history of resilience. Here's 7 facts about life, culture and history in Jamaica.

The UAlbany Jamaican Student Association is planning to raise money to help those who will be impacted by the storm.

"We're concerned about the hurricane, what damages it'll do, because it's the hurricane of the century," Effie Allen said.

"There's a feeling of anxiety among a lot of persons," said Dontae Matthews, who lives in Saint Catherine, a parish about 10 miles from Kingston.

Melissa made landfall on Jamaica's southwestern coast around midday Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 185 mph, making it the strongest hurricane of the Atlantic season to date and the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the island.

As Hurricane Melissa leaves a trail of destruction across Jamaica, local organizations in South Florida are stepping up to provide critical disaster relief.

Orcabessa Bay is a small town in the Saint Mary Parish, located in the northeast part of the island. It is home to 7,000 people. The town also houses the GoldenEye Villa, a retreat that previously was the private home and beach of Ian Fleming, a British author best known for creating the James Bond series.