Hurricane Melissa is causing havoc in Jamaica as the Caribbean nation faces the strongest storm in its modern history.
The hurricane, a category four with wind speeds of 150mph (240km/h), was heading towards Cuba on Tuesday evening and then the Bahamas. Earlier, Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s coastline with winds of more than 185mph.
Earlier in the day, a Meteorological Service of Jamaica official warned conditions would get “significantly worse” and the US National Hurricane Center predicted “catastrophic winds, flash flooding and storm surges”.
Jamaican authorities have urged residents and visitors to continue sheltering, with nearly a third of the country already without power.
Photos emerging from Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa made landfall show fallen trees and damaged homes.
“It’s a catastrophic situation,” the World Meteorological Organization’s tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan said at a press briefing, warning of storm surges up to four metres high.
“For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century, for sure.”
Roofs have been torn off hospitals, former Jamaican senator Imani Duncan-Price told the BBC.
“People are trying to rescue people in the middle of the storm just to save lives.”
Up to 30 inches (76cm) of rain is expected in some parts, with areas already experiencing flash flooding. Around 70% of the island’s 2.8 million population lives within 5km of the sea.
AFP via Getty Images
Wildlife is also a threat. Flooding may displace crocodiles from their natural dwellings, Jamaican health officials said.
“Rising water levels in rivers, gullies, and swamps could cause crocodiles to move into residential areas,” the South East Regional Health Authority said in a statement.
“Residents living near these areas are therefore advised to remain vigilant and avoid flood waters.”
Winston Warren, who said he lives less than 1km from the ocean, described “a constant roar of water”.
“There are times you just wonder – are the waves going to come crashing into your house?” he said. “We’ve seen a lot of roofs blown off.”
One woman told the BBC: “There is water coming in through the roof of my house. I am not okay.”
EPA
The slow-moving storm is expected to remain powerful as it crosses Jamaica, whose highland communities are vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
Even before the eye of the hurricane reached land, the region experienced extreme weather and fatalities. On Monday, Jamaica’s government said three people had died in “storm-related” incidents, involving falling trees.
The storm is heading towards Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second-largest city.
In Cuba, authorities said they evacuated about 500,000 people from areas vulnerable to winds and flooding.
“Melissa will arrive with force, and there’s great concern about what it could destroy in its wake,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in a message published in state newspaper Granma.
Additional reporting by Brandon Drenon and Gabriela Pomeroy
A Canadian man living in the UK recently travelled to Newcastle for the first time and was blown away by the city and the surrounding area
The man believed he’d stumbled onto a gorgeous Greek beach(Image: palliki via Getty Images)
Discovering new parts of the UK can reveal some truly stunning sights, from hidden forests to quaint villages boasting top-notch independent coffee shops. However, one Canadian man’s first visit to Newcastle has left locals scratching their heads after he likened a part just outside of the city to the sunny beaches of Greece.
Matt Giffen, originally from Canada but now residing in the UK, recently embarked on his first-ever trip to Newcastle and the surrounding Tyne and Wear area. Keen to explore beyond the city limits, Matt sought out a beach, and his social media followers directed him towards Tynemouth.
Located just eight miles from Newcastle, Tynemouth is easily accessible via the Tyne and Wear Metro, which is precisely how Matt travelled. Within half an hour, he was soaking up local attractions, including the Tynemouth Market, held at the station every weekend.
In a TikTok video documenting his journey, Matt praised Tynemouth for its “wholesome vibes” and suggested it seemed like a “very nice place to live”.
Before hitting the beach, Matt indulged in a classic British dish of fish and chips from Longsands Fish Kitchen, accompanied by a pot of curry sauce.
He remarked: “Can I just say, everyone here is so friendly. It’s like a little pixie fairy town here, it’s not a real place.”
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When Matt finally reached King Edward’s Bay, he was taken aback by the tranquillity and cleanliness of the beach. Despite the overcast skies, he even compared the sandy shore to Greece.
He questioned: “Why has nobody told me that the UK has beaches like this? It’s probably so busy here in the summer.”
While enjoying the beach, Matt savoured three oysters from Riley’s Fish Shack, a local eatery perched on the edge of the bay that serves food all year round.
But King Edward’s Bay isn’t Tynemouth’s only beach, and Matt took a brief stroll to Long Sands Beach to give his followers a glimpse of the larger seafront. Capturing footage of surfers, he likened the beach to the renowned Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia.
He exclaimed: “It’s giving the British version of Bondi Beach.”
Viewers were astonished to learn that Matt, a frequent traveller around the UK, had visited Newcastle and Tynemouth. Many expressed delight that he was sampling local cuisine.
One individual commented: “Thank you, pal! Tynemouth and Whitley Bay are what make us proud of the North East. To be literally 30 mins on a metro near the beach and a city and have the diameter of Newcastle United fans is why we are proud of where we are from. Thank you for putting this on your platform.”
Another chimed in: “I am loving Americans discovering UK food and realising that it isn’t bland and horrible!”
This Morning’s Cat Deeley was left lost for words when she found out that she is in fact 15 years younger
This Morning’s Cat Deeley was left speechless as she discovered her biological age after confessing to bad sleeping habits.
During Thursday’s (July 17) episode of the ITV hit chat show, Cat, 48, and co-host Ben Shephard, 50, made a return to our screens as they presented the day’s top stories.
However it was one segment that took the pair by surprise as they took a medical test to discover what their biological age is.
Joined by longevity and biohacking expert, Dr. Alka Patel Cat asked: “Tell us, what is biohacking?” Dr Alka explained: “Biohacking is all about taking control of your health. If you split the word up, what you’re taking control of is your biology and the hacking is getting into your control centre, to really understand how you’re made.”
This Morning’s Cat Deeley was left speechless after making a discovery (Image: ITV)
Keen to find out more, Cat further asked: “So what’s the difference between your biological age and the other age.”
Dr Alka revealed: “This is super important to know is that getting older and ages are two different things and most people don’t think of it like that. Your biological age is based on the level of your cells.”
Eager to find out how old they really are, Dr Alka, 53, went first and revealed that her biological age is 20. A shocked Ben replied: “What!” as Cat jumped in: “How did you do that?”
Dr Alka admitted: “I’ve been testing for a number of years and over the years that biological age hasn’t shifted.”
Cat, 48, was left lost for words when she found out that she is in fact 15 years younger(Image: ITV)
Turning attention to Ben, he went on to say: “My chronological age, not sure I’ve told you this but I’m 50, so we’re going to find out my biological age.”
The TV star, who prides himself on living a healthy lifestyle and regularly exercises, was left unimpressed as he discovered his biological age was only 46-years old.
Turning to the camera, he shouted: “46, is that it? I’m quite surprised about that because I think I look after myself, I get a decent amount of sleep, train really hard and I feel fit and healthier than I ever have in my life. I’m really fascinated that it’s only four years younger.”
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard presented Thursday’s show together (Image: ITV)
Moving on to Cat, she admitted that taking the test was a ‘nightmare’ as she had to take the test twice. It was clear that Cat was expecting to also have a high age as she revealed: “I’m a terrible sleeper but I am healthy.”
Cat, 48, was left lost for words when she found out that she is in fact 15 years younger, with a result of 33-years-old.
A stunned Cat replied: “I could cry” as Ben jumped in and joked: “33! I want a recount.” Cat added: “I don’t know how I’ve done it because I certainly don’t sleep, which I know is one of the most important factors.”
This Morning continues on ITV1 from 10am every weekday and is available to stream back on ITVX.
Turkey has always been a holiday spot I consciously avoided – I’d heard a number of negative things and I suppose those just stuck with me.
Sheena set off from Belfast International to fly to Dalaman(Image: TUI)
Turkey was always a holiday destination BelfastLivereporter Sheena McStravick deliberately steered clear of — she had heard a fair share of negative reviews that seemed to have stuck. As such, she has always chosen the familiar territories of Spain and France for family getaways.
However, she said around the block enough times now to realise that she should visit places firsthand before forming an opinion, so that’s precisely what my family and Sheena did. They set off from Belfast International to fly to Dalaman, a region of Turkey she admitted that she had never come across.
As it turns out, it’s a rather popular tourist hotspot, and two flights were departing from Belfast on the same afternoon they took off. The newly revamped Belfast International Airport was a brilliant kick-off, with the fresh new look and impressive duty-free zone finally fitting for an international airport.
“It was a bustling Monday afternoon with hundreds of others also jetting out of the airport, so it was an absolute blessing to be booked into the Causeway Lounge, avoiding the extremely lengthy queues for the food outlets,” Sheena wrote.
Sheena stayed at the TUI Blue Sensatori Akra in Feithye(Image: TUI)
The lounge was “ideal relaxed beginning” to the holiday, with reserved seating, plenty of room for the kids to watch the planes, a nice selection of soups, wraps, and sweet treats, hot beverages, and a fully stocked bar.
“I’d certainly recommend booking this in advance, as the airport was packed that day. Many folks were unable to gain entry because it had reached capacity with bookings.”
Sheena’s entire holiday was booked via TUI, so everything was sorted, from her flights to transfers to the hotel. They stayed at the TUI Blue Sensatori Akra in Feithye, which was about a 45-minute transfer from the airport and situated in a “really tranquil and serene spot, nestled among a forest and a beach.”
Upon arrival in Dalaman, everything from TUI was very quick and straightforward, the App pinging with their bus number as they exited the plane and collected luggage.
“The TUI Blue hotel had everything we desired and so much more. With two children aged seven and three with us, it was perfect,” she wrote.
Sheena’s room was situated right next to the beach(Image: Tui)
“Upon check-in we were presented with a checklist of items for ‘Little Travellers’ that the hotel could provide if needed, it had everything from pushchairs to nappies, wipes, baby baths, baby monitors, potties, and so much more, I’ve never seen a hotel so well equipped for families with young children.
“Situated right next to the beach, our room on the second floor had absolutely stunning views across the hotel. The hotel also features some incredible swim-up rooms on the ground floor, which looked incredibly relaxing.”
With five swimming pools, including a superb children’s splash pool, water slides, and an adults-only area, there was genuinely something for everyone. Unsurprisingly, Sheena’s two children were glued to the water slides, which were open for two hours each morning and afternoon, perfect for dodging the day’s peak heat.
The hotel also prides itself on a fantastic kids’ club suitable for youngsters aged 3 to 12, as well as a dedicated baby club with a fully equipped nursery.
When it comes to entertainment, this hotel was never short. The evening entertainment provided by the TUI Blue cast team was particularly outstanding, with the nightly appearance of the TUIBots being a major highlight for the kids.
“From Disney-inspired performances to dazzling shows filled with incredible music and dancing, this team ranks among the best I’ve ever seen on holiday. Their patience and kindness towards all the children were truly remarkable.”
The restaurant offered a vast array of fresh produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner(Image: Sheena McStravick)
No matter your preference, there was entertainment for everyone, whether you preferred a more chilled live music setting in the Piano Bar or cool beach vibes with a nightly DJ at the Caretta Cocktail Bar. Conveniently located next to the brilliant outdoor children’s play park, the latter an “absolutely genius idea”.
She added: “Another standout feature was the food. I don’t reckon I’ve ever seen such a variety at an all-inclusive resort! The separate children’s buffet was a massive hit, allowing the little ones to pick their own food and serve themselves.
“The Restaurant offered a vast array of top-notch fresh produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with special themed menus each evening. And if that wasn’t enough, there are an additional five restaurants on site, including Chinese, Turkish and Italian – you certainly won’t be short of options!”
There was “genuinely no need to leave this fantastic resort”, as it included shops, a spa, a gym, tennis courts, a football pitch, and so much more.
However, if you fancied a bit of exploration, the market town of Feithye was just a 15-minute shuttle boat ride away, where you could browse the shops and grab a bite in the cafes and restaurants. You can also get there via a public bus, which picks up right outside the hotel.
The Sensatori Akra, while perfectly suited for families, is also a brilliant spot for a couples getaway or if you have older teenage children.
There are specially designated rooms, a large pool area, restaurant and bar that are adult only and suitable for those aged 16 plus, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxing child-free zone.
“Despite my initial reservations about holidaying in Turkey, this trip has completely dispelled any fears or concerns I had,” Sheena said.
“The numerous individuals I chatted with during my stay echoed the same sentiment: once you’ve experienced Turkey, you won’t want to holiday anywhere else, and I can certainly understand why.
“While other tourist hotspots in Spain seem to actively discourage tourists, Turkey embraces them with open arms and a warm disposition. I’ll definitely be returning!”
TUI holiday deals
Use code EARLYBIRD when logged into your myTUI account, at your local TUI store or agent. Plus, combine with a Free Child Place for even better value.
Valid on summer 2026 holidays departing from Belfast between 1st May 2026 and 31st October 2026. *T&Cs apply.
