CBS News Miami has been in touch with families living through the aftermath, including Marvin Edwards, who rode out the hurricane in Montego Bay.

As of 8 a.m. Eastern Tuesday, Melissa had gained strength as a Category 5 hurricane, centered about 55 miles south-southeast of Negril, Jamaica, and about 265 miles southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba, moving north, northeast at 5 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is slowly approaching Jamaica and will bring catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surge to the island, the National

Melissa strengthened into a major hurricane and is expected to bring "catastrophic" flash flooding and landslides to Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, has carved a devastating path through the Caribbean this week.

Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum says a strong cold front will bring widespread rain and cooler air across Alabama tonight into Wednesday morning. Expect breezy conditions, chilly temperatures, and a few lingering showers through midweek.

As flights from the Caribbean continued to land in South Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, CBS News Miami caught up with a man who was on the other side of the doors, waiting for someone special.