North Dakota families stuck in Jamaica brace for Hurricane Melissa

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica (KMOT) - The second strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic based on sustained winds has made landfall in Jamaica, which is also the worst the island has ever endured.

We learned there are some North Dakotans visiting the island who couldn’t evacuate in time before Hurricane Melissa arrived.

What was meant to be a relaxing week in Jamaica quickly took a turn for the worse for Hillary Rosencrans and her family from Burlington.

They arrived last Friday, joining friends and relatives from Granville and Towner, North Dakota.

Then, they got word that Hurricane Melissa was approaching the island.

“We tried everything. Kingston was already closed on Saturday. With the people we have, and trying to go to different airports, like anywhere, we just couldn’t get out of here,” said Rosencrans.

Rosencrans captured a video on Monday of what she calls the calm before the storm.

As of Tuesday, reports show winds of 185 mph with gusts over 200 mph.

“The chairs were gone, the cabanas were gone, there were no people on the beach — it was just dead. And people were just trying to get to shelter later,” said Rosencrans.

As of Tuesday morning, Hillary said they’re safe in their hotel in Ocho Rios—that’s on the north coast of the island, in between Kingston and Montego Bay.

It’s where they are hunkered down in the lowest level of the concrete building.

“I think we were all fine, but deep down it’s a little nerve-racking and your anxiety kind of shoots through the roof,” said Rosencrans.

Hotel staff directed them to only bring essentials to the shelter, and to leave belongings packed in a suitcase inside their bathroom.

“Talking with the staff, they’ve been through it before. They know what to do, they know what to kind of expect. Yes, it is a worse storm, but I think with them being more positive, it helps us stay a little more calm,” said Rosencrans.

North Dakotans know their fair share of severe weather, but being as far away from an ocean as you can, Hillary said she’s never endured anything quite like this before.

“So far we’re safe and we appreciate all the prayers and support,” said Rosencrans.

Rosenrcrans said she’s in high hopes the storm shall pass, and they’ll get to return home soon.

Rosenrcrans said even after the storm clears, it’s still unclear when they’ll be able to leave, since it depends on damage to the island and the airports, and when the airports reopen.