Hurricane season can be stressful for anyone near the potential path of a storm, as powerful winds and heavy rain can cause widespread damage, cut power for days or weeks and otherwise upend people’s lives.

Don’t be fooled – there’s still time for major activity this season. Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the strongest-ever storm to hit Jamaica, had winds topping 185 mph and could have turned toward the Sunshine State.

Wilma served as a reminder of the importance of hurricane preparedness, even late in the season. It's been nearly 20 years since Hurricane Wilma struck the Treasure Coast on Oct. 24, 2005, and delivered a powerful reminder that hurricane season lasts until ...

CORE, which has previous experience responding to storms in the Caribbean, has deployed air cargo ships of hygiene kits, tarps and essential relief supplies to Jamaica and is preparing to send resources to Haiti. The organization is accepting donations here.

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.

The island of Jamaica is bracing for the worst. Hurricane Melissa is expected to reach a category five status. Connecticut residents are now preparing to help loved ones on the island after the storm hits.