PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Hurricane Melissa is now among the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.
The monster storm strengthened on Tuesday before hitting Jamaica, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 kph). It’s the strongest Atlantic hurricane to make landfall since Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas in 2019.
What started as a tropical birthday trip for Alexis Maldonado and Tavianna Smith quickly turned into a nightmare when they became stranded in Jamaica during the storm.
The pair booked a trip to Montego Bay for Smith’s 28th birthday and were supposed to return to Phoenix this past Sunday, but the Montego Bay airport closed that day.
“We tried multiple airlines booking. We spent thousands of dollars trying to get out,” Maldonado said. “We were getting flights and they kept getting canceled. The airlines were canceling. The only airlines that were flying out, they were completely booked. We tried racing to the airport. We tried getting on any flight anywhere in the U.S. and just nothing was working. And we just, we got stuck.”
Arizona’s Family spoke with the friends from their hotel room in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, as they were on lockdown, riding out the storm and making a barricade of mattresses and furniture between them and the windows.
“I would say it’s terrifying. It’s very loud. We don’t know what to expect,” Maldonado said.
“We hear the winds, we hear the wind, the door, the balcony, everything is shaking,” added Smith.
Maldonado and Smith were able to ride out the worst of the hurricane, but remain in lockdown as rain continues to fall in Jamaica.
“I love my family. I miss you guys, and I hope I get home soon,” said Maldonado.
“We will be getting home soon,” Smith said.
The Montego Bay airport remains closed as of Tuesday night. Officials with the airport posted on social media ahead of the closure that they would conduct a full assessment after the storm passes.
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