Worried aunt, Jamie Neimeyer, posted on X that her nephew and his bride of one week are trapped.

'We tried every avenue, including private charters. They had a seat for Grace on one of the last flights out, but she wouldn't leave Jet,' she posted.

Another couple was visiting the island for their 10th anniversary and were set to leave on Saturday, but their flight had been canceled ahead of the incoming hurricane. 

Maritza Caver-Blake told ActionNews5: 'We have two kids back in Jonesboro that family and our friends are taking care of until we get back.

'My main concern is my kids and trying to make sure that we can get back to them.'

The US Embassy in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, has told American citizens to shelter in place and check in with loved ones when possible. 

Jamaica's meteorological service said: 'Life-threatening storm surge, accompanied by large and destructive waves, is likely along the south coast of Jamaica late Monday through Tuesday morning.

'Small craft operators, including fishers on the cays and banks, are strongly advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.'

The storm is expected to turn northward over the next 12 hours, then northeastward as steering winds from the mid-latitude jet stream take over. 

This track takes Melissa near Jamaica late Monday or early Tuesday, across eastern Cuba Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, and near or over the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos on Wednesday. 

The hurricane could approach Bermuda by Thursday night. 

Melissa will become the strongest hurricane in recent history to have directly hit the small Caribbean nation. 

Some local areas in eastern Jamaica could get 40 inches of rain, while western Haiti could get 16 inches, the NHC said. 

'Catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides are likely,' the NHC warned.

Norman Manley International Airport closed after its last scheduled arriving flight at 8 pp local time (9pm ET) Saturday evening, leaving many Americans stranded as Melissa moves closer.