Memphis family stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa tears through island country
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – At around noon Tuesday, Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on the southwest side of the island as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, with maximum sustained winds of 185 MPH.
“It’s pretty shocking, a little bit devastating. And I will say it’s very nerve wracking for us and for them… There’s nothing we can really do about it besides, I mean, just try to keep them updated, Raniah said.
Raniah has been watching the track of Melissa from her home in Texas, keeping in touch with her family as much as possible.
“It has been kind of choppy and kind of goes in and out, but for the most part, I will say I’ve been able to at least reach them at least once a day,” said Raniah.
Aaliceya and Destiny White, along with their uncle, George Clayvon, who all live in Memphis, were visiting Jamaica for Destiny’s 19th birthday. They are hunkering down in their room on the second floor of the Deja Resort in Montego Bay.
“We’re on a generator right now, but they’re going to turn the generator off once the wind speeds get to high so that they don’t blow the generators,” said Aaliceya.
The generator allowed them to give updates and stay in touch with loved ones right up until the worst of the storm reached them.
“(Our mom) is probably doing worse than we’re doing. She’s panicking because we’re her kids. So I really don’t know how she’s doing too much because talking to her is too emotional,” said Aaliceya.
Generator power was cut off as of around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, according to Aaliceya’s Facebook page. To make matters worse, the family may have to pay a hefty price just to leave after the storm. Aaliceya told FOX13 that they still have to pay for their resort stay, and flight prices to leave the country are currently a whopping 1500 dollars. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for their travel expenses and get them back to the United States.
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