AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Local resident Erica Hillman and her family are currently stranded in Jamaica as they ride out the impact of Hurricane Melissa, a massive Category 5 storm that made landfall on Tuesday. Hillman, who is from Emanuel County, and 17 other family members had traveled to Jamaica for a vacation to celebrate a family member’s 60th birthday. They are now staying at a resort in Trelawny, located four hours west of Kingston, as the storm causes widespread disruptions.
What Happened
Hillman and her family had planned the trip a year in advance, expecting to return home a couple of days ago. However, Hurricane Melissa, which was not fully anticipated by the family until after their arrival, changed those plans dramatically. “We were blindsided by it,” Hillman explained. “A few of us heard about Melissa, but some of us didn’t know until after we got here.”
Due to the hurricane, all flights out of Jamaica have been canceled or delayed, and the family remains stuck at the resort until further notice. Hillman says they had expected to leave on Sunday but now face an uncertain return.
“It wasn’t supposed to hit until today, so we thought we were going to be out of here with our flights on Sunday—we thought we were going to be home,” she added.
Community Support and Concern
Back in Augusta, Keith Johnston, the owner of 876 Island Cuisine, is closely following the situation in Jamaica, where he has family, including his mother and siblings. He is deeply concerned for his loved ones as the storm causes chaos in their home country. “My mom is in Jamaica, I have siblings, family, friends. I just want to tell everyone to stay safe, stay inside, make sure you’re prepared, and we’re praying for you guys,” Johnston said.
Hillman reported that the resort has instructed all guests, including her family, to stay indoors for safety until the storm passes. Despite the tension, Hillman said the family is in good spirits, “We’re all holding up okay. We’re all in good spirits, just praying for the best. Nobody is scared, but we just want to get home, that’s all.”
Ongoing Situation and Evacuations
The situation remains fluid as Hurricane Melissa continues to move through the region. Hillman shared that her cousins, who were staying in a different building at the resort, were evacuated from their rooms and relocated to the lobby with dozens of other guests.
As the hurricane rages on, Hillman and the other stranded travelers are now waiting to see when it will be safe to leave Jamaica and return home. The storm’s devastating impact is expected to make this the biggest natural disaster of the year.
Closing Line
As Hurricane Melissa continues to batter Jamaica, the family is hopeful that their situation will improve soon. They are praying for their safe return to Augusta and for the safety of all those affected by the storm. The waiting game continues, but Hillman remains optimistic and thankful for the support they’ve received from back home.
