A former Miss Jamaica UK has expressed heartbreak and fear as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, devastates her homeland, leaving families cut off and desperate for news.

Speaking from London, she said she has been unable to contact relatives since the hurricane struck early Tuesday. “I can’t reach my family. I don’t know if they’re safe,” she said. “It’s terrifying watching everything unfold from so far away.”

Melissa made landfall with winds near 185 mph (295 km/h), unleashing floods, storm surges, and massive destruction across Jamaica. Power and communications are down islandwide, and emergency crews are struggling to reach affected communities.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness called it “the most powerful storm in Jamaica’s history,” urging citizens to stay indoors and follow safety instructions.

International aid efforts are underway as neighboring nations prepare for the hurricane’s next impact. For Jamaicans abroad, the wait for word from home remains agonizing. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.