North London couple remain trapped in Jamaican hotel after 'apocalyptic' hurricane Melissa

"The building itself is very robust, our balcony was very protected but the resort is devastated. The reception has been destroyed. It's apocalyptic. There is no other way to describe it. We are only now seeing the sheer level of the devastation. This island is going to need as much support as it can get. The resort isn't safe. Before it was the storm, now it's the damage."

"The staff had said they have never had anything like this. How do you [prepare] for the worst storm ever. The couple recalled how the hurricane appeared to come to a standstill as the eye of the storm passed right over the hotel. We were in the heart of the storm, Mr Pheasant explained. We were right in the centre. It went calm and bright and light. That was the eye of the hurricane going over. It was terrifying in that moment."

"The pair were left terrified as the storm swept through the Sandals resort, with huge gusts at one stage blowing directly towards their hotel room. The roads close to the resort have been blocked by ripped down trees and torn off corrugated sheets, leading the couple to believe it could be days before they can safely leave the area."

Carl and Kate Pheasant were caught in the eye of Hurricane Melissa while staying at a Sandals resort in Whitehouse, Jamaica, and have been blocked in the hotel since Sunday night. Roofs and tiles were ripped off, reception destroyed, and widespread devastation left the resort unsafe. Staff reported never experiencing a storm like this as the hurricane's eye passed directly over, causing a calm, then terrifying renewed winds. Nearby roads are blocked by downed trees and torn corrugated sheets, delaying evacuation and leaving locals and guests unable to reach families. The island will require considerable support to recover.

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