In the serene setting of Jamaica, John Wesley and Wendy Smith recently celebrated a much-anticipated destination wedding. Surrounded by the lush beauty of the island’s western tip near Negril, their joy was palpable as they were joined by around 50 loved ones from Texas. However, this idyllic scene quickly shifted as they found themselves in the path of an impending disaster.

Just days into what was meant to be a blissful honeymoon, the couple received unsettling news upon their arrival. “When we came in the first day, we found out there was a tropical storm heading our way,” Wendy Smith recounted, noting how the island still appeared untouched and beautiful at the time.

As the weekend progressed, their plans to leave the island ahead of the storm’s arrival were thwarted. On Sunday, attempts to reschedule flights were stymied as airlines began canceling departures due to the deteriorating conditions.