Hurricane Melissa death toll surpasses 50, mostly in Jamaica and Haiti, as focus turns to recovery

In the ruins of Black River , which the Jamaican government has described as Hurricane Melissa's "ground zero," people are scrambling for relief.

"People are hungry," said Monique Powell as she stood watch over a stash of groceries and household items for herself and a group of residents from another hurricane-torn community nearby.

Melissa came ashore just west of Black River on Tuesday as one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record , leaving up to 90% of all structures in the town without roofs as it snapped power lines and toppled concrete structures.

The storm was being blamed for at least 51 deaths , mostly in Haiti and Jamaica. It also hit Cuba hard. Authorities said 19 people were killed in Jamaica, at least 31 in Haiti and at least one in the Dominican Repu