Dangerous Hurricane “Beryl” Approaches Jamaica

Historic Caribbean Hurricane – Dangerous Hurricane “Beryl” Approaches Jamaica

Jamaica is set to be hit by the approaching major hurricane “Beryl”. The outskirts of the dangerous typhoon have been dumping rain on the Caribbean island since the night. According to the US Hurricane Center NHC, the storm center is expected to pass over or near Jamaica by the end of the day. People should expect life-threatening winds and storm surges. “Beryl” is reportedly packing sustained winds of up to 230 kilometers per hour, making it a category 4 out of 5 hurricane. It has already left a trail of destruction in the southeastern Caribbean.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the country a disaster area for seven days on Tuesday night. In addition, a nationwide curfew will be in place from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting Wednesday, he announced in a statement. Kingston and Montego Bay airports have been temporarily closed.

Near total destruction on several islands

“Beryl,” the first hurricane of the early June Atlantic season, strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane in less than 24 hours over the weekend. The storm center made landfall on the island of Carriacou, which is part of Grenada, on Monday.

According to the coordinator of Grenada’s disaster management authority Nadma, Terence Walters, speaking at a news conference Tuesday night, 98 percent of the buildings on Carriacou and Petite Martinique were damaged or destroyed. Numerous trees and power lines were uprooted, leaving no electricity, water or cell phone reception. All vegetation on Carriacou was also destroyed, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said.

“Beryl” a “direct consequence of the climate crisis”

“This hurricane is a direct result of the climate crisis, in which Grenada, the Caribbean and other small developing countries are at the forefront,” he stressed. Grenada will demand climate justice from the international community. We will no longer accept that we rebuild and borrow year after year while the countries responsible for the crisis remain inactive.

Carriacou has about 6,000 residents, Petite Martinique about 900. The approximately 5,000 residents of Union Island, which is part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, were also badly affected. According to government reports, more than 90% of the infrastructure was damaged. Grenada reported three deaths from the storm, Venezuela two and St. Vincent and the Grenadines one.

Historic storm

This early in the six-month hurricane season, a storm of this magnitude has never been recorded—according to expert Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, “Beryl” is the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in July. At one point, the NHC measured winds of about 168 mph (270 kph)—above 156 mph (252 kph) is Category 5. In the context of climate change, warmer ocean waters make powerful hurricanes more likely.

Forecasts as of Thursday evening call for the storm center to pass near or near the Cayman Islands, and approach Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday.

1. Approaching Category 4 Hurricane “Beryl” is bringing rain to several Caribbean islands, including Haiti and Mexico.
2. The storm’s devastating power has prompted Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to declare the country a disaster area for seven days.
3. The impact of “Beryl” has extended to St. Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, causing near-total devastation on several islands.
4. The storm made landfall on Carriacou, a small island belonging to Grenada, causing significant damage, creating a disaster area.
5. Weather conditions in Haiti have deteriorated due to the storm, which could further exacerbate existing challenges in the region.
6. The storm surges and life-threatening winds of “Beryl” also hit Martinique, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean.
7. The Dominican Republic and Venezuela have also been hit by the aftermath of the hurricane, with damage reported and many people killed.
8. Grenada’s Prime Minister says the powerful storm is a consequence of the climate crisis, highlighting the need for climate justice and action.
9. The storm has also had an impact on Carriacou’s sister islands, with more than 90% of the infrastructure on Union Island, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reportedly damaged.
10. Montego Bay, one of Jamaica’s top tourist destinations, is closed due to the approaching storm, affecting the local economy.
11. The storm is also expected to impact the Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, underscoring the ongoing challenges of climate change and hurricane season in the region.

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