Hurricane Melissa: A Storm That Grounded Flights and Flooded Airports

Hurricane Melissa has been a massive disruption, especially for air travel in the Caribbean. It's not just any storm—it's one of the strongest to hit Jamaica, causing airports to shut down and flights to reroute. Imagine trying to fly from Florida to the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico and having to take a longer path because of this hurricane. Jamaica's airports are in rough shape. Montego Bay Sangster International Airport, the busiest one, might have taken a serious hit. Videos show rain pouring in through the ceiling, flooding parts of the terminal. The energy and transport minister, Daryl Vaz, mentioned that relief flights might have to use smaller airports like Ian Fleming instead. This storm is no joke. Winds reached 185 mph, even stronger than Hurricane Katrina at its peak. It's so intense that military planes had to turn back while trying to fly through it. The US Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron had to return to Curaçao after facing heavy turbulence. Safety checks are now needed before they can fly again. Tourism is a big deal for Jamaica, making up a third of its yearly income. With airports closed and flights canceled, the economic impact is huge. Travelers are stranded, and the country is scrambling to get things back to normal. Hurricane Melissa is a reminder of how powerful nature can be and how quickly it can disrupt our lives. It's not just about the wind and rain—it's about the ripple effects on travel, economy, and daily life.