In the days since Hurricane Melissa ripped through the Caribbean, we’re getting a clearer understanding of both the destruction and desperation the deadly storm has caused.

Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has made landfall already in Jamaica and Cuba, as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall.

Storm's 185 mph winds are equivalent to EF4 tornado, threaten complete structural collapse and months-long power outages. Click to learn more.

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.

Hurricane Melissa may be the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Atlantic basin. It has also ignited discussion about the need for a Category 6 designation.

More video is emerging showing the total devastation of northwestern Jamaica in the wake of the historic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa after it tore through the island nation.

"I'm on an adrenaline run at this point," Grammy-winning reggae icon Shaggy tells Billboard less than a week after Hurricane Melissa made landfall on his home country of Jamaica. "I was around when [Hurricane] Gilbert happened,

Nearly one week after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on the island, the Caribbean nation is organizing to help people devastated by the disaster,