The director of apostolates for a Jamaica-based religious community serving the poor in Kingston said Oct. 28 that the Category-5 Hurricane Melissa seems to be sparing Kingston the worst of its wrath. But he added that the storm was not yet finished and much remained unknown about the historic hurricane’s impact in the region.

ATLANTA, Ga. - A Georgia man is still in Kingston, Jamaica, two days after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island. Garfield Lettman was supposed to fly home Friday, but he won’t leave until he knows his little sister is OK.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Ahead of Hurricane Melissa making landfall in Jamaica, ADM suspended operations at its flour mill in Kingston and its facility in Montego Bay until after the storm passed, a company spokesman said the afternoon of Oct. 28.

Insurance, bonds and savings will speed recovery from the monster hurricane, but the Caribbean nation will still need international aid.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to Category 5 strength as it neared Jamaica with up to 30 inches of rain and a life-threatening storm surge.

Hurricane Melissa intensified to a Category 5 storm on Monday and continued to strengthen as it moved closer to Jamaica, where it was forecast to cause life-threatening flash flooding, landslides, and devastating damage to infrastructure. It arrived on the island’s southwestern coast around noon local time Tuesday.