BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica near New Hope on Tuesday. The Category 5 storm is the strongest to ever hit the Caribbean island.

CBS 42 met with a Birmingham restaurant owner who is praying for the safety of all involved, including his own family members. Thomas Hewitt, the owner of Southern Caribbean Restaurant, has yet to hear from several siblings who live in Jamaica.

When CBS 42 stopped by Tuesday afternoon, Hewitt was on the phone with close family friend Barrington Facey, who braved the hurricane from his home in Manchester Parish, which is in the south-central part of the island.

“It’s like the world was ending,” Facey said. “I tell you the wind was so strong.”

While his house was flooded, it was still standing. Facey said othe

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