ST. ELIZABETH PARISH, Jamaica -

It’s been nearly a week since Hurricane Melissa made its first catastrophic landfall in Jamaica, and the death toll is continuing to rise as crews continue recovery efforts in communities that were ravaged when the hurricane slammed the country with destructive winds and flooding rain.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holmness announced on Saturday that the death toll in his country in the wake of the Category 5 hurricane has risen to 28, and reports of other fatalities are still in the process of being verified.

"We extend heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and communities mourning their loved ones," Holness said in a statement .

Deaths have also been reported in other countries across the Caribbean, including in Haiti whe

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