‘I’m afraid of flooding.’ New Jersey families stuck in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl approaches

As Beryl closes in on Jamaica, tourists will now have to stay on the island until further notice.

Amanda Lee

Jul 3, 2024, 9:52 PM

Updated 176 days ago

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New Jersey travelers are stuck at Caribbean destinations as Hurricane Beryl approaches.
Hanif Davis, of Union visited Saint Ann with his family of 25 and has been trying to book a flight home. But he says they keep getting canceled.
"You could see the wind picking up this morning. They've advised us to stay away from the windows so they're not really letting us out,” Davis says.
What started as an 80th birthday celebration for Davis' mother-in-law, turned into a literal storm. Their resort moved guests to the bottom floor to sleep on cots and blocked all exits as the sky darkened.
"She had to sleep in a wheelchair in that ballroom area. She can't get out of a wheelchair to get into a cot. It's too low,” says Davis.
As Beryl closes in on Jamaica, tourists will now have to stay on the island until further notice.
Experts say the storm could be one of the strongest to hit Jamaica in 15 years.
Meteorologists project the worst being further north which is further from Davis' family.
Nicole Green, of Neptune, and her family flew to Jamaica two weeks ago for their annual trip to Montego Bay. They were scheduled to return on Independence Day.
"I've never experienced a hurricane like they're saying this is,” Green tells News 12. “As close as we are to the water, I'm afraid of flooding. That's the only thing I'm worried about."
The most destructive winds are expected to hit Wednesday night. After it passes, even more traffic at the airport is possible as families return home on what's already on track to be the busiest summer for air travel.