Hurricane Melissa results in hotel lockdowns, interrupts honeymoon

(MENAFN) Honeymooners Rob and Leah Cuff face uncertainty as Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm in Jamaica’s modern history, threatens the island. “I didn't sleep a lot last night as I kept an eye out to see if the storm was coming,” Rob Cuff said from Montego Bay. Their return flight to the UK is scheduled for Wednesday, but heavy flooding could disrupt plans.

Melissa has made landfall with winds reaching 185 mph (297 km/h), and some forecasts suggest it could maintain Category 5 strength as it hits Jamaica.

Mr Cuff praised their hotel’s precautions: “Our hotel has been absolutely brilliant, and they have boarded up windows and taped up glass and have looked after us.” He added: “Yesterday evening, we had to leave our rooms and go to a safer building nearby.”

Other Britons in Jamaica are also taking precautions. Rebecca Chapman, celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary, said: “There's this weird roar that sounds like it's coming from the sea. It's really odd, like something's coming. The birds have all gone so it's all gone really quiet. It's like a ghost town.”

Megan Barry, a primary school teacher from west London, described her hotel lockdown: “They have been advised to put mattresses against the windows. They have also packed their bags in case they need to be evacuated.”

A British family prepared a “shelter” in their hotel bathroom with food, drink, spare clothing, and bedding. Brian Johnson, on holiday with his family, explained: “If we need help at any time during the main storm it is unlikely to be available, so we are essentially on our own.” He also expressed gratitude to the local staff: “They are extremely thankful to their local Jamaican hosts and staff, many of whom are staying at the hotel to support guests despite having families and properties to take care of.”

Andrew and Julia Brearley, visiting for their 25th wedding anniversary, noted the looming danger from their beachfront hotel. “I just want to come out the other side of this storm,” Andrew said. Despite the threat, he emphasized the strong sense of community: “The staff have been amazing, they haven't shown any despair, they're doing everything they can to make sure we're safe and they're safe. The workers were given the choice to go or stay in the hotel, and a lot of them stayed.”

Some holidaymakers, like David Rowe and his family, chose to leave Montego Bay early. “We made the decision on Saturday morning that no matter what we have to get home for the safety of the children,” he said. “We can't believe that when we were leaving on Sunday there were flights landing full of holiday makers. It has been an emotional time. We feel for anyone still in Jamaica.”

Britons abroad are also watching anxiously. Jodi Jenny, originally from the Jamaican parish of St Mary, said the storm is unlike anything she has seen since Hurricane Gilbert in the 1980s. “This is a bad one. It's just tough. You can't do anything about it,” she said.

MENAFN29102025000045017640ID1110263682