As Hurricane Melissa leaves a trail of destruction across Jamaica, local organizations in South Florida are stepping up to provide critical disaster relief.

Hurricane Melissa’s destructive path through Jamaica has left residents and visitors in South Florida anxiously checking on loved ones back home.

The two categories combined make up about 17 percent of all hurricanes in recorded history. Those reaching Category 5 — like Melissa — historically make up more like 4 percent of hurricanes. And fewer than half of the strongest two categories of hurricanes go on to hit land at such intensity.