Hurricane Beryl was rapidly approaching Jamaica as it intensified into a record-breaking Category 5 storm after passing through multiple islands in the southeastern Caribbean.
With heavy rain and destructive winds, Beryl was labeled as a “potentially catastrophic” storm by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Tragically, one person lost their life in the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, according to the country’s government, with reports of widespread devastation in other areas.
Beryl is now the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded in the Atlantic, as confirmed by the NHC and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
With sustained winds of 165 miles (265 kilometers) per hour, Beryl is headed towards Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, stated the latest NHC update from 0900 GMT.
The NHC cautioned that while Beryl is expected to weaken later on Tuesday, it will likely remain a major hurricane.
Grenada’s Carriacou Island bore the brunt of the storm’s dangerous eyewall, experiencing sustained winds of over 150 mph early Monday, leading to catastrophic conditions in nearby islands like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The aftermath of Beryl has caused significant destruction and suffering, with reports of numerous damaged or destroyed houses, and even the loss of life.
Both Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell expressed concern over the devastating impact of Beryl on their respective countries.
Experts noted the unprecedented strength of Beryl for this early stage of the Atlantic hurricane season, with the storm becoming the first June Category 4 hurricane and the earliest July Category 5 hurricane in NHC records.
– ‘Alarming precedent’ –
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) described Hurricane Beryl as setting an alarming precedent for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season, posing a significant threat to Caribbean communities.
While Barbados was fortunate to avoid the worst of the storm, it still encountered high winds and heavy rainfall, causing flooding and damage to some structures.
The impact of Beryl led to the cancellation of classes in several islands and the postponement of a regional meeting in Grenada.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for parts of the Dominican Republic, highlighting the severity of the storm’s potential impact.
With forecasters predicting an extraordinary hurricane season, citing factors like warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the La Nina weather phenomenon, the region remains on high alert for further extreme weather events.
