Fishermen retrieve a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados [Ricardo Mazalan/AP Photo].
Jul 3, 2024 Story by: Edito
Hurricane Beryl, a powerful and deadly storm, continues to gain strength as it approaches Jamaica after causing significant destruction in the Caribbean.
The storm, now classified as a category five hurricane, threatens catastrophic winds and storm surges. Beryl made landfall on Monday on Carriacou, an island part of Grenada, with devastating effects. So far, three fatalities have been reported—two in Grenada and one in St. Vincent.
Initially a category four hurricane, Beryl struck land with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Carriacou faced the brunt of Beryl’s “extremely dangerous eyewall,” known for its intense thunderstorms, heavy rain, and powerful winds. Communication with Carriacou and nearby Petite Martinique remains disrupted.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, warned of potentially more fatalities and stated that the full extent of the damage would only be known once officials could reach the islands. Mikey Hutchinson, a journalist in Grenada, described the storm’s peak as “really, really bad,” citing extensive wind and rain damage to homes, government buildings, and other structures.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines also faced severe devastation. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves reported at least one death and significant destruction, particularly on Union Island, where 90% of houses were either severely damaged or destroyed. Thousands remain without power, and many are in temporary shelters across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and St. Lucia.
Predicted path of Hurricane Beryl
Footage on social media shows widespread damage, with homes missing roofs and residents sifting through rubble to recover belongings. Barbados, which had issued a hurricane warning, appears to have avoided major damage, though officials caution against complacency as gusts and storm-force winds persist.
The NHC predicts Beryl will continue to intensify as it moves through the southeastern Caribbean, with life-threatening winds and storm surges expected to hit Jamaica by Wednesday afternoon. The Jamaican government has issued a hurricane warning, urging residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to seek shelter. Despite the calm atmosphere in Kingston, authorities in Montego Bay emphasize the need for readiness and caution.
Hurricane Beryl could also impact Haiti and the Dominican Republic before reaching Jamaica. Haiti, struggling with infrastructure issues and powerful gangs, is particularly vulnerable. Guy Vital-Herne from World Vision highlighted the country’s unpreparedness, noting past storms have caused severe flooding and infrastructure damage.
The NHC noted that Beryl is the earliest category five storm recorded in the Atlantic, forming unusually early in the hurricane season and developing rapidly from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts up to seven major hurricanes in the North Atlantic this year, more than double the seasonal average. Source: BBC
