People across the northern Caribbean were digging out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa​ on Thursday as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed.

Melissa tore through the Caribbean as one of the most powerful storms in history, slamming Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane earlier this week.

South Florida was spared a direct blow from Hurricane Melissa, but the massive storm still hit home for the millions of residents there who have deep roots in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall along Jamaica's southwestern coast Tuesday as an extremely powerful Category 5 storm.

A rescue plane with more than two dozen Floridians who were in Jamaica landed at Tampa International Airport on Saturday – days after Hurricane Melissa struck the Caribbean island, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

Hurricane Melissa has devastated communities across Jamaica and the Caribbean, leaving thousands in need of immediate assistance.

From nearly 2,000 miles away, some Milwaukeeans feel the impact of Hurricane Melissa — and are working to offer support to Caribbean communities.

Hurricane Melissa pummeled areas of the Caribbean already vulnerable to landslides and flash flooding — made worse by decades of deforestation — with risks likely to continue for days, experts said.