Hurricane Beryl Hits Jamaica and the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl surged past Jamaica on Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, bringing fierce winds and torrential rains. The hurricane, which had already claimed at least seven lives in the southeastern Caribbean, brushed the island causing significant damage and disruptions.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Beryl’s eyewall impacted Jamaica’s southern coast. Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated that nearly 500 residents were taking refuge in shelters, and numerous areas, including parts of the capital, were without power. Significant disruptions were caused by downed trees and utility poles, especially in the country’s interior.

The storm had earlier intensified to the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic before downgrading slightly. On Monday, Beryl left extensive destruction in Grenada and Carriacou, damaging approximately 98% of structures on Carriacou Island and causing fatalities in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela.

Mexico’s civil defense agency is preparing for Beryl’s expected landfall along the less populated Caribbean coast near Tulum. Authorities have moved sea turtle eggs from Cancun beaches to protect them from the expected storm surge.

As Beryl progresses, it is anticipated to cross Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, possibly hitting Texas and Louisiana over the weekend. The U.N. is coordinating relief efforts in affected areas, providing aid and support to local communities heavily impacted by the hurricane.