Augusta, GA (WJBF) – What was meant to be a joyful family vacation has turned into a tense waiting game for Augusta resident Erica Hillman and her family, who are stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, continues to wreak havoc across the island.
Hillman, originally from Emanuel County, traveled with 17 family members to Jamaica to celebrate a relative’s 60th birthday. The group is currently sheltering at a resort in Trelawny, roughly four hours west of Kingston, as the storm brings widespread flooding, strong winds, and power outages.
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What Happened
According to Hillman, the family had been planning their vacation for more than a year and were scheduled to return home before the storm struck. However, Hurricane Melissa’s rapid intensification caught them off guard.
“We were surprised by it,” Hillman said. “Some of us had heard of Melissa, but some of us didn’t know anything until we got here.”
The storm’s unexpected shift in path left them with few options. As the Jamaican government closed airports and suspended flights, the Hillman family found themselves stuck at their resort until further notice.
“It wasn’t supposed to come until today, so we thought we were going to be out of here on Sunday with our flights — we thought we were going home,” Hillman explained.
Community Support and Concern
Back home in Augusta, concern is growing among local residents with family ties to Jamaica.
Keith Johnston, owner of 876 Island Cuisine in Augusta, said he has been anxiously following the storm’s developments. With his mother, siblings, and friends still in Jamaica, Johnston urged people on the island to stay safe.
“My mom is in Jamaica. I have siblings, family, friends. I just want to tell everybody to stay safe, stay inside, make sure you’re prepared — and we’re praying for you guys,” he said.
Hillman shared that resort management has instructed all guests to remain indoors for safety. Despite the uncertainty, she said the family remains calm and hopeful.
“We’re all OK. We’re all in good spirits, just praying for the best. Nobody’s scared, but we just want to go home, that’s all.”
Ongoing Situation and Safety Measures
As Hurricane Melissa continues to pound Jamaica with high winds and heavy rainfall, conditions remain dangerous. Hillman said that some of her cousins, staying in another building on the property, were relocated to the main lobby for safety, joining dozens of other stranded guests.
Officials have warned that it could take several days before flights resume and travel conditions stabilize. With communications and power outages affecting much of the island, families like the Hillmans are relying on updates from resort staff and local authorities.
Meteorologists say Hurricane Melissa could become one of the most destructive storms of the year, with damage expected across the Caribbean and parts of the southeastern United States.
Conclusion
As Hurricane Melissa continues to lash Jamaica, Erica Hillman and her family are staying strong and hopeful that their ordeal will end soon. Loved ones in Georgia and beyond are praying for their safe return and for the safety of everyone impacted by the storm.
For now, the Hillmans — like many others caught in the hurricane’s path — are simply waiting for the skies to clear and for their long-awaited journey home to begin.