Hurricane Melissa Traps Over 200 British Tourists in Jamaica

At least 200 British tourists are currently stranded in a hotel in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, a deadly Category 5 storm, approaches the Caribbean island. The hurricane, which features sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, poses a significant threat of torrential rains and destructive winds, leading to severe safety concerns for residents and visitors alike.

Hurricane Melissa has already wreaked havoc on neighboring islands, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where it has resulted in the deaths of at least six people and displaced thousands. As the storm draws closer, it is expected to make landfall in Jamaica overnight on October 28, 2023, bringing with it potentially stronger winds than those experienced by its neighboring nations.

British holidaymaker Andrew Tracey, who arrived in Jamaica last week, shared that he has been confined to his hotel room until at least Wednesday. He noted that around 200 Brits are currently at his hotel, as flights have been canceled and Jamaica’s two international airports have been closed since Sunday.

“I wouldn’t have gone at all if I had known that the hurricane would hit while I was out here,” Andrew expressed in an interview with Sky News. “It’s hard to comprehend what we’re about to expect. I’ve never experienced any kind of hurricane, let alone a Category 5. The tension in the hotel last night when we went down for dinner was definitely one of nerves, even for locals.”

Government Response and Preparations

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a warning about the storm’s severity, declaring the entire island a threatened area under the Disaster Risk Management Act. In a post on X, he reported that Hurricane Melissa is approximately 100 miles south of Kingston and moving slowly westward.

“Based on current projections, all of Jamaica is likely to experience hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding,” Holness stated. He confirmed that shelters are open, emergency teams are on standby, and over $400 million has been allocated for local preparedness and relief efforts.

The Foreign Office has also issued a statement regarding the impending storm, noting that a Hurricane Warning is currently in effect for Jamaica. The office cautioned that while the storm’s exact trajectory remains uncertain, exceptional levels of rainfall are anticipated across the entire island. Estimates suggest up to 700 millimeters of rain, with storm surges around coastal areas causing waves as high as 4 meters. Catastrophic flash floods and landslides are likely.

As residents and tourists brace for impact, the Jamaican government has closed its international airports until further notice. Hurricane Melissa has been named following the established naming conventions of the US National Hurricane Center and the World Meteorological Organization, which rotate names on six-year cycles and retire them only for particularly catastrophic storms.

In the face of this significant threat, the safety and well-being of those stranded in Jamaica remain a top priority as the storm approaches.