A University Heights woman confirms her 80 family members in Jamaica are safe after Hurricane Melissa, but their homes suffered damage from the Category 5 storm.

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

Jamaica is in recovery mode after Hurricane Melissa slammed into its shores. A nonprofit with ties to the Kansas City area survived the storm and is now helping others pick up the pieces.

Hurricane Melissa tore a path of destruction across Jamaica on Tuesday, prompting the prime minister to declare the country a disaster area, after the storm made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin.

Amanda Tessoff and her family were in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa made landfall. Now, the family is working to get back home.

Melissa slammed into Jamaica's shoreline Tuesday, Oct. 28, as a Category 5 hurricane leaving widespread flooding. See photos.

Jamaicaway owner Ouida Bradshaw will donate 10 percent of sales while Riverside Nashville coordinates international disaster relief efforts.

Groups in Connecticut are collecting donations and money to help families in Jamaica rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. The West Indian Social Club in Hartford hosted a meeting to discuss updates,