Kamoi McWhinney has had a long week.

As a Jamaican Canadian dual citizen living in Ottawa, she's been anxiously watching the development and aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Last Saturday, it was just a tropical storm. By Monday, it had been designated a Category 5 hurricane. Then on Wednesday it struck Jamaica, knocking out power to much of the island and leaving devastation in its wake.

McWhinney says she's been communicating with her family almost non-stop — except when the electricity or the signal gives out.

How Hurricane Melissa went from tropical storm to Category 5 in just a few days

Jamaicans in Ottawa worry for family as Hurricane Melissa approaches

"It's one thing in the moment, when the hurricane is coming and there's a lot of fear and ... a lot of adrenaline to get throug

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