Category 5 Hurricane Melissa Traps Hundreds of British Tourists in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph, is approaching Jamaica and is projected to be the strongest hurricane to hit the island since records began in 1851. The storm threatens catastrophic flash flooding, widespread landslides, and a storm surge up to 13 feet along coastal areas, endangering key infrastructure such as Kingston's main airport and power facilities. At least 200 British tourists and other international visitors, including Americans like Dalton Clarke from Massachusetts, are stranded and confined to hotels with lockdown measures and safety precautions in place as flights and airports have been shut down. Melissa has already caused devastation in neighboring Hispaniola, leaving six dead and displacing thousands. Jamaican authorities have declared the entire island a threatened area under the Disaster Risk Management Act and warned residents and visitors to prepare for severe impacts. The tense situation continues as the hurricane is expected to make landfall overnight or early Tuesday, with potentially stronger winds than those experienced by neighboring countries.