Stranded travelers in Jamaica face unexpected costs as Hurricane Mellissa disrupts flights and damages infrastructure. With hotels charging hefty fees, some may regret skipping travel insurance.

Tens of thousands of Jamaicans were in shelters, and more than two-thirds of the island was still without power, according to officials.

What was supposed to be a trip to celebrate multiple birthdays turned into frightening moments for one upstate family. A small group of people from the Upstate are in Jamaica waiting and hoping to return home. Communication with their families has been minimal due to signal disruptions from Hurricane Melissa.

At first light on Wednesday, the coastal communities of southwestern Jamaica bore the devastation of being in the direct path of Hurricane Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa has been upgraded to a Category 5 storm, with dangerous winds, storm surge and flash flooding expected in Jamaica, forecasters said.

(THE CONVERSATION) Across Jamaica, streets are littered with torn-off roofs, splintered wood and other debris left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. Downed power lines have left communities in the dark, and many flooded and wind-damaged homes are unlivable.

Recovery crews everywhere, including one nonprofit in Michigan, are preparing to respond in Jamaica after it was hit by Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday.