Travelers Rush Home as Hurricane Melissa Batters Jamaica

Vacationers fled Jamaica over the weekend as Hurricane Melissa intensified into a powerful Category 4 storm, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.

All flights from Montego Bay to Miami and Fort Lauderdale were canceled after conditions worsened. Some travelers managed to leave just in time.

“The weather was fine on Thursday,” said passenger Demarkis Edwards, “but by Friday they shut the airport at noon.” Edwards and his friends rebooked earlier flights to escape before the storm hit.

The hurricane brought dangerous winds and flooding to the island, prompting authorities to close airports and suspend operations across western Jamaica. U.S. forecasters warned of continued heavy rainfall and possible landslides as Melissa moves toward Cuba.

Airlines are monitoring the storm closely and said flights will resume once it is safe.