American trapped in Dubai describes hotel fright and 'shock waves' as Iran launches airstrikes

On Saturday, Iranian airstrikes hit Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport, as well as Burj Al Arab Hotel and Palm Jumeirah, a popular tourist destination.

"You hear the explosion, you feel it," said Ellmer, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. "You just see a bunch of white clouds."

"It feels like a shock wave. You feel a vibration through your body."

Ellmer works at Boston Consulting Group. She had been in Dubai to promote her forthcoming book, "How Change Really Works," and she and her husband, Matt Carwell, were also planning on relaxing and sightseeing.

The couple first heard explosions on Saturday when they were at the beach.

She's now booked multiple flights for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - hoping she will be able to depart soon.

Dubai's airspace partially reopened on Monday, March 2, after a total shutdown lasting more than 48 hours, according to many reports. 

On Saturday night and Sunday morning, the explosions became progressively worse, Ellmer said. 

"We were getting multiple text message alerts from the local government, as well as the U.S. government, warning us to shelter and stay in place."

"On the first day, we had a lot of anxiety about things," she told Fox News Digital. "I've never been in a place that had bombs floating above."

Ellmer said they felt much calmer after 24 hours. Perhaps surprisingly, she said they feel very safe in Dubai. 

"I've been really impressed with how the UAE has handled it," she said.

Her hotel, which is on a marina, does not have a basement, she said. 

"I'm used to uncertainty, but this is completely new," she said. 

Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha were all plagued by chaos, according to reports. 

Iranian weaponry rained down on Dubai, setting fire to a five-star resort, threatening the world's tallest building and killing one person and injuring seven others at the airport in the capital city of Abu Dhabi.

Four people were injured in a hotel fire in the Palm Jumeirah area of Dubai after a loud explosion was reportedly heard.

The Dubai Media Office, a government entity, said in a statement Saturday that the fire was contained.

Still, "people [in Dubai] have been going on about their day normally," Ellmer told Fox News Digital. 

She even saw children on a trampoline in an indoor play space. "There hasn't been a sense of panic."

When they were hearing sirens, the couple decided to pack a go-bag with water and snacks in case they had to move quickly.

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace and Rachel Wolf, as well as The Associated Press, contributed reporting.