Tourists in Montego Bay, Jamaica, walked out of their shelters on Wednesday morning after riding out Hurricane Melissa in their hotels.
A woman from the United Kingdom said the balcony door was shaking and eventually snapped in two, and gave right in.
“My ears were popping because of the pressure from the storm,” she said. “It was like a vortex. If you went near the front door, it’s as if you had been sucked out ... We are in a built-up place, but I think about those in rural communities, there is going to be nothing left.”
A family was in their hotel room when “the windows shattered,” so they ran into the bathroom and stayed there until their hotel’s employees evacuated them, a woman said.
Jamaican officials said there were up to 16 feet of water in areas of Montego Bay, where the infrastructure was severely impacted. The Jared Park Centre for the homeless had to be evacuated.
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon reported the major roadways were flooded, the utilites were damaged, and telecommunications were down.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced utility companies had commenced restoration and recovery operations.
More coverage of Hurricane Melissa
- Local 10 News Weather Authority updates
- Here is how to help from South Florida
- Jamaican officials’ morning update
- Effort to help from Wilton Manors
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