Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean are staring down what could become a catastrophic, days-long assault of extreme rainfall and damaging winds.

South Florida organizations are rapidly mobilizing a comprehensive relief campaign for Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa approaches the island nation.

Hurricane Melissa’s rapid intensification and its projected torrential rain are highlighting the problems for emergency responders who will have to deal with crises on several Caribbean islands simultaneously in coming days,

"It is more than kind of distressing because you don't know when and you don't know how," said Ewan Simpson, who lives in Jamaica.