Hurricane Beryl Disrupts Travel as it Threatens the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl, currently a Category 3 storm, is advancing towards the southeastern Caribbean, causing significant travel disruptions and prompting emergency preparations across several islands. UK airlines, including Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, have canceled and rescheduled flights to avoid the storm.

Early on Monday, July 1, 2024, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of “life-threatening winds and storm surge” as Beryl, with winds up to 130 mph, approached. Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for Martinique and Trinidad.

Virgin Atlantic has adjusted flight schedules and grounded certain trips, including those between Barbados and St. Vincent, while British Airways suspended services to St. Lucia and Guyana.

Local governments have urged residents to finalize storm preparations. In Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia, airports were closed by Sunday night. Over 400 people in Barbados sought shelter, and a state of emergency was declared in Grenada.

Hurricane Beryl’s arrival marks an unprecedented start to the hurricane season, being the earliest Category 4 storm recorded in the Atlantic Ocean for June.