Jamaica and the Cayman Islands brace as Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, unleashes catastrophic conditions, including 145mph winds and a storm surge potentially surging coastal levels by up to 9 feet. The storm has already caused havoc in Jamaica, downing power lines in Portland and prompting officials to declare a disaster area with a Wednesday curfew in place.
Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting over 900 shelters are available across Jamaica, and evacuations are underway in flood-prone regions. Meanwhile, Hurricane Beryl’s path is expected to approach the Cayman Islands tonight before heading towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Beryl, which tragically claimed at least seven lives, intensified overnight to become the earliest Category 5 storm on record in the Atlantic, only to weaken back to Category 4 on Tuesday. Despite predictions of gradual weakening, the storm maintains its status as a major hurricane, with forecasts suggesting potential impacts on southern Texas and Louisiana over the coming weekend.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl is evident in Grenada. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described the aftermath as “unimaginable,” with 98 per cent of the nation’s buildings severely damaged or destroyed. The urgent need for support underscores the severity of Beryl’s impact as it continues its destructive path through the Caribbean.
