Elaine Pesto, a 56-year-old travel agent, found herself in a challenging situation when Hurricane Beryl hit Grenada while she was on a work trip with a group of seven other travel agents. The group initially attempted to leave the area upon being notified of the impending storm, but high flight costs back to the US led them to decide to stay and weather the storm.
As the storm approached, Pesto's anxiety grew, describing the waiting period as the most difficult part of the experience. The uncertainty and feeling of being confined by the storm's impending arrival caused her to feel increasingly nervous.
Throughout the night, Pesto struggled to sleep, constantly checking for storm updates. By the following morning, she could feel the impact of the storm with strong winds and rain battering the area. Despite the intense conditions, Pesto tried to distract herself by working to avoid fixating on the situation.
Fortunately, Pesto noted that the storm surge was not as severe in the southern part of the island where she was located. After enduring the storm, she was able to safely return home to the US on Tuesday.
Her experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by travelers caught in natural disasters and the importance of staying informed and prepared in such situations.
