Summerville, South Carolina – A Lowcountry couple’s honeymoon in Jamaica took an unexpected turn when Hurricane Melissa triggered widespread airline cancellations, leaving them trapped on the island for several days.
Adam and Jordan Simmons of Summerville traveled to Montego Bay last week to celebrate their nuptials. They were meant to come home this week, but their flight was canceled when Hurricane Melissa hit over the weekend. The Category 4 storm delivered hazardous winds, torrential rain, and widespread damage to Jamaica, causing the government to close airports and warn citizens to seek shelter in place.
The Simmons are among numerous travelers who have gathered inside their resort to wait out the storm. They said management relocated visitors to an inner refuge early Tuesday morning as circumstances worsened.
“We’ve just accepted that we’re here and riding out Hurricane Melissa, following all the protocols we’re being advised to do,” Adam Simmons told me.
Before seeking refuge, the couple noticed palm trees bending in the wind and portions of the roof beginning to lift. They reported hearing high winds whistling through the walls as they waited for the storm to pass.
“When we watch the news and see how severe the storm is, it truly hits home. But we know that panicking in an emergency circumstance gets you nowhere,” Jordan remarked.
Jordan’s mother, Carrie Spears, has spent the previous few days continuously checking in for updates from her daughter and son-in-law. She stated that the wait has been filled with worry.
“My initial thought was panic. I was thinking, oh my God, how would I get her home? “For a parent, it’s difficult to know that you’ve always taken care of your children and now you can’t,” Spears added.
She claimed her family has been able to communicate via text and FaceTime thanks to generators at the resort that allow visitors to charge their phones during power shortages. Friends and coworkers have sent encouraging words while the family monitors news updates from Jamaica.
“You sort of fall asleep and then wake up in a panic. Have I missed a call? Did I miss a FaceTime? “It’s hard to explain,” Spears added.
The Simmons said they are safe and grateful to resort personnel who kept visitors informed and safe throughout the storm. They are planned to return to Charleston on Thursday, depending on weather and airport operations.
