Action News producer and fiancé among tourists stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl approaches

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The entire island of Jamaica is in the crosshairs of Hurricane Beryl.

The storm remained at Category 4 on Wednesday afternoon and could be the first major hurricane to hit the island in July.

Because Beryl quickly developed from a tropical depression into a major hurricane, those in its path had little time to escape.

This means that tourists – including a member of the Action News team – suddenly have no choice but to ride out the storm.

News producer Stephanie Kirk and her fiancé Nick Gruber arrived in Montego Bay on Saturday for their dream vacation.

She says the whole thing has become a nightmare.

On Wednesday, she said the winds were strong, the rain was heavy and they were holed up in their hotel room to wait out the hurricane.

“This was the trip of a lifetime and we never could have predicted that it would end with a hurricane,” Stephanie said.

Stephanie and Nick came to Jamaica to celebrate their engagement.

“We arrived here on Saturday. Beautiful weather. We’re staying in the bungalows over the water,” said Stephanie. “Everything was perfect.”

That changed on Tuesday when Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica.

“We were panicking and trying to find a way to get out of here. Of course, we called all the airlines. Every single flight was full. There was, I mean, nothing,” Stephanie said.

They even tried to charter a flight.

“Unfortunately, they couldn’t get it approved,” Nick said.

Now they have no choice but to wait it out.

RELATED: Beryl is moving towards Jamaica as a severe hurricane; cruise ships are being diverted

Their resort is boarded up and the guests are hiding.

Nick says they were told, “Just stay in your rooms and stay away from the glass.”

“They said they would go around one by one, knock on your doors and tell you when it’s safe to come out,” he continued.

When they can return home depends entirely on the damage left behind by Hurricane Beryl.

“If the airport closes or the roads are flooded, we won’t be able to get anywhere and we might be stuck here for who knows how long,” Stephanie said.

RELATED: New Jersey vacationing family stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl approaches