Family caught in hurricane

Hurricane Dean hit Jamaica last night, closing both its main airports and wiping out electricity and phone lines. A curfew was declared and troops patrolled the streets as the storm - due to bring up to 20 inches of rain and 13 foot storm surges - struck the country.

Mandy and Alan Peever, from Ketley in Telford, along with their 11-year-old daughter Chelsie, were among those seeking refuge.

They had been been given emergency rations and a glow stick for light and were told to stay in their Montego Bay hotel room.

Mona Phillips, Mandy's mother, today said the last time she heard from them was yesterday afternoon.

She said they were frightened but being looked after well and trying not to panic.

"I have not been able to get through to them since Wednesday but they rang yesterday," she said.

"They were feeling concerned," said Mrs Phillips. "It's one of those things that if you live in Ketley you don't really get caught up in, thankfully."

The family, who live at Woodside Road, are due to fly back on Wednesday if flights resume. Mr Peever works as a heating engineer in Ketley and his wife is a senior teaching assistant.

Market Drayton woman Daryl Bowden, 56, has been desperately trying to get back in touch with her daughter, who is also in Jamaica.

Shrewsbury-born Louise McKenna, 33, is with her husband Jamie, 34, and had been forced to retreat to her bathroom.

The couple, who live in Germany, had not taken their mobile phones with them because they did not think they would need them, added Mrs Bowden.

Dean has already devastated other parts of the Caribbean - tearing up buildings and claiming at least eight lives.

Residents and holidaymakers are seeking safety in schools and churches.

The indoor national sports arena has also been opened as an emergency shelter.

Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller made a last-minute plea for people to abandon their homes.

By Dave West