Hundreds of British tourists are currently under lockdown inside a hotel in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane approaches the country. Guests at the Caribbean resort have been instructed to remain in their rooms for their safety until at least Wednesday.
Hurricane Melissa is anticipated to be the most powerful storm to impact the island since official records began in 1851. The slow-moving hurricane has already caused casualties in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with fatalities reported in both countries. In Jamaica, two individuals lost their lives while preparing for the impending storm.
Jamaica’s Water and Environment Minister, Matthew Samuda, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It’s nothing to play with. The time for preparation is all but over.”
Approximately 200 British tourists are currently confined in the Jamaican hotel as Hurricane Melissa, classified as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 157mph, moves closer to the Caribbean island. The storm has already wreaked havoc on neighboring islands, resulting in casualties and displacements.
Meteorologists have warned that Melissa could become the strongest hurricane on record to directly hit Jamaica. The storm is projected to make landfall overnight or early Tuesday, bringing potentially devastating winds and heavy rainfall to the region.
