Hurricane Beryl, a devastating Category 5 storm, leaves a trail of destruction across the Caribbean islands as it heads towards Jamaica. With unprecedented early-season intensity and widespread damage, the hurricane has claimed lives and prompted warnings for life-threatening conditions.
Hurricane Beryl Wreaks Havoc in the Caribbean as a Category 5 Storm
Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, is advancing towards Jamaica after making landfall in the Windward Islands, causing widespread destruction and resulting in at least three fatalities. This hurricane, noted for its unprecedented early-season intensity, previously became the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic, with sustained winds reaching 160 mph.
On Monday, Beryl inflicted severe damage on islands including St Vincent and the Grenadines, Carriacou Island, Grenada, and Union Island. Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell reported significant devastation, particularly in Carriacou where structures were largely flattened. One person in Grenada’s capital, St George’s, died due to a fallen tree.
In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves confirmed one fatality and stated that 90% of homes on Union Island were damaged or destroyed. As Beryl moves on its projected path, authorities expect it to approach Jamaica by Wednesday, with potential impacts also anticipated for Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings for life-threatening conditions, urging residents in affected regions to prepare. The hurricane has already caused major disruptions, including the closure of airports and cancellation of events in several Caribbean nations.
Meteorologists indicate that Beryl is expected to remain a significant hurricane as it progresses through the Caribbean.
