PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Hurricane Beryl Approaches Jamaica Wednesday as residents prepare for the powerful storm.
“It’s raining more often now, so I guess it’s getting closer,” said Candy Manning, who lives in Upper Dublin, Montgomery County.
Manning said the airports are closed and people cannot leave the island.
“It’s certainly scary to think that something so devastating, that has caused so much damage in the Caribbean, is now coming your way, right?” Manning said.
Manning lives in Upper Dublin and has family in Jamaica, and is currently visiting them on the island’s north coast.
“I didn’t really think about it until yesterday, but even then it was just preparation,” Manning said. “Because I can’t go anywhere. I can’t do anything. At the end of the day it’s just, you have to deal with it.”
Manning, a teacher at Cheltenham High School, is one of nearly 3 million people bracing for the monster storm with devastating winds of nearly 145 mph (233 km/h) and life-threatening storm surge expected to hit Jamaica on Wednesday.
Manning said her relatives in Upper Dublin kept an eye on her.
“They’re just very concerned, especially with the airports being closed,” Manning said. “They asked if I was coming home early and I said no because I wasn’t coming home until Sunday. Hopefully the airports will be open.”
As she waits to hear about Beryl’s aftermath, Manning hopes her Jamaican family and friends will arrive safely.
“Hopefully, praying it’s not as devastating for us here and we all get through this without any casualties,” Manning said. “That’s my prayer — my hope for Jamaica.”
