Amidst the relentless fury of Hurricane Beryl, a group of American tourists, including newlyweds, find themselves stranded in Jamaica. As the storm rages on, they navigate uncertainty, anxiety, and the hope of a safe return home.
American tourists, including a newlywed couple, are enduring a harrowing ordeal in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl continues to wreak havoc across the Caribbean. The Category 4 storm has left a trail of destruction in its wake, forcing residents and vacationers alike to seek shelter and brace for the worst.
Stranded in Paradise: American Tourists Trapped in Jamaica by Hurricane Beryl
Casey Haley and her husband arrived in Jamaica on Sunday morning to celebrate their honeymoon. They were initially told by hotel staff not to worry, but the situation escalated rapidly as the storm approached. By Monday evening, people at their resort were evacuating, and the couple faced conflicting messages from hotel staff.
With wind speeds intensifying, Haley and her husband sought refuge in an inner stairwell away from windows and any potential debris. They were later moved to a conference room as the storm's impact became more severe.
Stranded in Paradise: American Tourists Trapped in Jamaica by Hurricane Beryl
"It was calm right up until this morning," Haley said. "Lots of last-minute boarding up and prep. That's when the reality of the situation set in."
Despite the uncertainty, Haley remained hopeful. "We feel prepared and we are prayerful. Everything else is now out of our control."
Stranded in Paradise: American Tourists Trapped in Jamaica by Hurricane Beryl
Another American tourist, Kiki Barry, was also stranded in Jamaica with her friend. She was scheduled to leave on Wednesday before the Sangster International Airport closed due to the storm.
Barry and her friend were sheltered in a converted movie theater and convention center, where they had access to food, drinks, and entertainment. While feeling both calm and anxious, she praised her hotel staff for keeping guests' spirits up.
Stranded in Paradise: American Tourists Trapped in Jamaica by Hurricane Beryl
As of Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Beryl had claimed the lives of at least six people. AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jon Porter expressed grave concerns about the storm's life-threatening impacts in Jamaica, noting that it was "the strongest and most dangerous hurricane threat that Jamaica has faced, probably, in decades."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Stranded in Paradise: American Tourists Trapped in Jamaica by Hurricane Beryl
