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

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.

Emergency water systems and medical teams deployed to Jamaica following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa with additional Samaritan's Purse relief flights planned.

Multiple hurricane relief crews assemble supplies to deliver to Jamaica as well as evacuate stranded Americans to come home.

Students at Linden Elementary School are collecting school supplies and donations to send to Jamaica and Haiti after Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean region as one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record.

Samaritan’s Purse deployed a disaster response team and more than 38,000 pounds of life-saving relief supplies to Jamaica to help with Hurricane Melissa recovery effects.

Disaster relief from the U.S. to Jamaica is delayed due to the government shutdown, but several private organizations are mobilizing to send relief after Hurricane Melissa. NBC News’ Jesse Kirsch spoke to one group packing up soup,

Hurricane Melissa tore through earlier this week, leaving a trail of destruction that’s shaken the entire continent. Countries like Jamaica and Cuba were hit especially hard, now struggling to secure essential supplies and funds to rebuild.