Hurricane Melissa— one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded—is now off Cuba’s eastern coast, after leaving a trail of destruction across the large island and its much smaller neighbor, Jamaica.

People across the northern Caribbean were digging out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa on Thursday as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed. The rumble of large machinery, whine of chainsaws and chopping of machetes echoed throughout southeast Jamaica as government workers and residents began clearing

Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane around 1 p.m. ET yesterday as the strongest hurricane in the island's history. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area, with St. Elizabeth Parish reported to be "underwater."

Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean, leaving at least seven dead and thousands more displaced and in the dark. The International Federation of the Red Cross previously said up to 1.

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc on several Caribbean islands, as WPTV is putting a spotlight on the resilience and strength of community members with family ties to Jamaica.

The storm left widespread destruction and at least dozens of deaths in its path. In Chicago, people are looking for ways to help.

From his Donna’s Caribbean Restaurant in Margate, Karl Gordon was hungry for updates from Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa made landfall at about 1 p.m. Tuesday in New Hope.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, caused major damage to public infrastructure and left most of the island without power. The full extent of the devastation is unclear with some areas inaccessible.