SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, has made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, causing widespread concern and prompting local communities to rally in support.

The hurricane, tied for the third strongest on record in the Atlantic basin, has already resulted in seven fatalities across the region, including three in Jamaica. It began as a tropical storm off the coast of West Africa and intensified into a hurricane by Saturday. Strong winds and heavy rain began pouring down in Jamaica around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

"I actually spoke to my mom earlier this morning, like 4 or 5, that’s the last time I spoke to her," said Ivroy Smith, who immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica about five years ago. "After that I tried to call, but there’s no one answering cause servi

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