Stranded Vacationers in Jamaica Prepare for Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica, a small island nation that depends heavily on tourism, is bracing for the impact of Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm in its history. Many vacationers, including Amarie Davis and her cousin, are stranded as the storm approaches, with limited resources to prepare for its devastating effects. As the storm draws closer, residents and visitors alike are taking precautions to ensure their safety, with some resorts and tour operators urging guests to stay indoors until the hurricane passes.

Key Takeaways:

• At least a dozen people without homes were taken off the streets and placed in shelters ahead of the storm in Kingston, the capital city.
• The mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, urged residents, particularly in Rae Town, a fishing community, to evacuate due to the risk of flooding.
• Vacationers, including Amarie Davis and her cousin, are stranded at resorts with limited resources to prepare for the storm, with some using beds to block windows in case of shattered glass.
• Jamaica's tourism industry, which accounts for about a third of the country's annual revenue, is severely impacted by the storm, with many resorts and tour operators advising guests to stay indoors.
• Katrina Newman's husband, a fisherman from Kentucky, is helping neighbors board up their homes and has not been heard from since Sunday night.
• Social media posts show long lines for dinner buffets and staff entertaining children at resorts to alleviate the boredom and stress.
• The island's two main airports, Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, are closed.

Statistics:

• Jamaica's tourism industry accounts for about a third of the country's annual revenue.
• The island's resorts and tour operators are urging guests to stay indoors until the hurricane passes.
• At least a dozen people without homes are being taken to shelters ahead of the storm in Kingston.
• Brighton, Jamaica is expected to receive up to three feet of rain.
• Hurricane Melissa is the most powerful storm in Jamaica's history.

Sources:

• The New York Times
• Reuters
• Octavio Jones/Reuters