TRELAWNY, Jamaica ( DC News Now ) — Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, becoming one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.

The powerful storm has led to canceled flights and left many travelers stranded, including a Maryland woman who was visiting the island on vacation.

Ieshatu Baturay, a Maryland hair stylist, is currently staying at a resort in Trelawny, Jamaica. She says she’s safe but confined to a sheltered area as strong winds and heavy rain move across the island.

“It’s definitely more intense than what we were seeing earlier,” Turay said. “You can hear the wind, it’s pretty loud.”

What started as a girls’ trip quickly turned into an unexpected encounter with one of the most powerful storms to hit the region.

“It’s moving

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