Daughter fears for parents as hurricane hits

Ian Ferguson and Trudi Ferguson have been enjoying a romantic break on the island

The daughter of a couple stranded in Jamaica is fearing for their safety as Hurricane Melissa approaches the country and she no longer has contact with them.

People on the island have died in the world's strongest storm of 2025 and it has caused power outages, with wind speeds of 185 mph (295 km/h) reported.

Ian and Trudi Ferguson, from Witton Gilbert, County Durham, are on a romantic break in a seafront hotel and have been told to barricade themselves into their bathroom once the storm makes landfall.

Their daughter Robyn Laverick said it was now a waiting game and while she was scared, her parents must be terrified.

When she last heard from them, they were making preparations including filling their bath with water to be used to drink, wash, or flush the toilet.

Ms Laverick, from Rowlands Gill near Gateshead, said: "They were told to take towels, extra pillows and an extra duvet into their bathroom, which is where they were told to go once it hits, and sit in the shower tray.

"No-one knows how long they are going to be stuck in there for."

Rain and winds have been lashing the island ahead of the full force of the storm

Their last phone conversation was cut off, and she does not know when she will next be able to hear from them again.

"They are literally waiting for phone signal to go out completely," she said.

"The only little glimmer of light I have is seeing their names pop up on WhatsApp and knowing they are still OK.

"But once that communication goes, there's going to be nothing it's just going to be a waiting game."

She added: "All I can think of is how terrifying for me it is back in England knowing I can't do anything, let alone how scary it must be for them."

The couple have been told to sit out the storm in their bathroom