DENVER (KDVR) — Hurricane Melissa left widespread damage across Jamaica this week, slamming into the island as a Category 5 storm. Much of western Jamaica is underwater as crews and residents begin to pick up the pieces from the destruction left behind.

One Colorado woman is stepping up to help.

Lelesa Thompson, who now lives in Aurora, grew up in Jamaica. She said her friends and family are still there, and she’s asking her new neighbors in Colorado to help.

“These are my family, the people who raised me,” Thompson said. “They say it takes a village. This is my village.”

Thompson said she has been sitting by the phone for the past 24 hours. After Hurricane Melissa tore through her home country, phone lines and cell service have been inaccessible. She’s seen photos and videos of the de

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