A Texas couple’s honeymoon has taken a terrifying turn as they find themselves stranded in Jamaica with a massive Category 5 hurricane closing in. Kasydee and Hunter Bishop, newlyweds from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, are currently sheltering in place near Montego Bay as Hurricane Melissa, now one of the most powerful storms on record in the Caribbean, barrels toward the island with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour.
According to Fox News, the couple arrived on the island just before Jamaican officials issued evacuation orders and closed the airport. Since then, all outgoing flights have been canceled, and the Montego Bay airport has been boarded up as the country braces for what could become the strongest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica.
“All we are hearing is how intense the storm is going to be, and we just really have no idea what to expect right now,” Hunter Bishop said in an interview with the station.
Kasydee shared updates on TikTok, saying they’ve relocated to a shelter and feel relatively safe. “We feel pretty safe here at least!!” she posted. “Just praying non stop for the protection of us and everyone here!!!” She also said they are thankful to have a place to stay during the storm and are doing their best to remain calm as the situation develops.
Hurricane Melissa is already making headlines for its speed and strength. The storm is moving northeast, with forecasts calling for catastrophic wind damage, life-threatening flash flooding, and the risk of landslides across much of Jamaica and parts of Cuba. Officials are warning that the storm’s impact won’t be limited to the direct path alone. Neighboring countries are expected to face dangerous weather, including heavy rainfall and coastal flooding from storm surges.
Emergency shelters are filling quickly, and aid groups are mobilizing across the region. The government of Jamaica has activated its national disaster response plan and is urging all citizens and tourists to follow safety instructions and remain indoors.
If forecasts hold, Melissa could top the destruction caused by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, which was the last time Jamaica saw a storm of this size. Gilbert was a Category 4 hurricane that caused widespread destruction, left thousands without homes, and forced many into emergency shelters. According to the National Library of Jamaica, that storm caused $800 million in damage and left 45 people dead. Officials fear Melissa may prove even more costly.
Witness the raw power of nature as a U.S. Air Force pilot navigates through the eye wall of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds sweeping across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The accompanying image captures the storm’s mesmerizing eye, where life… pic.twitter.com/JtKMOyJ4ku
— SanaviNet (@Sanavi1009) October 28, 2025
So far, there have been no reported deaths tied to Hurricane Melissa, but authorities have said the next 48 hours will be critical. Roads are being cleared, communication systems are being reinforced, and power outages are expected across wide areas of the island.
The Bishops are among hundreds of tourists currently stranded, with no clear timetable for when flights might resume. U.S. officials have not yet announced any plans for emergency evacuation of American citizens, but the situation is being closely monitored.
Weather models are tracking the storm’s progress as it moves through the Caribbean and into the Atlantic. Some coastal cities in Cuba are beginning evacuations, and emergency services are preparing for widespread power outages and flooding.
The National Hurricane Center in the U.S. has warned that Melissa’s path could shift slightly, and has advised residents in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas to monitor the storm’s movement closely.
For now, the Bishops and others in Jamaica are doing their best to stay safe and wait it out. As the storm approaches, prayers, patience, and preparation are all they can count on.
