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Panorama — News — Death — Jamaica — Caribbean — St. Vincent and the Grenadines — Mexico — Barbados — Haiti — Dominican Republic — Venezuela — St. Lucia — Atlantic — Grenada — Storm — Andrew Holness — Hurricane — Caribbean country — Climate — St. George's — Weather — Trinidad and Tobago

Dangerous storm "Beryl" approaches Jamaica

The strongest Atlantic hurricane recorded in July has devastated parts of the south-eastern Caribbean. It is now approaching Jamaica. It is only just below the limit of the highest hurricane category.

,   and  Anne Legman
3 min read
Hurricane "Beryl" also damaged fishing boats.
Hurricane "Beryl" also damaged fishing boats.

Historic Caribbean hurricane - Dangerous storm "Beryl" approaches Jamaica

Jamaica is preparing for the anticipated heavy hurricane "Beryl" which is expected to reach its outer bands before daybreak (local time) in the Caribbean country, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The NHC (National Hurricane Center) predicts that Beryl's center will pass over or near Jamaica on Wednesday. Life-threatening winds and storm surges are expected.

With sustained winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour, "Beryl" has weakened slightly but remains just below the threshold for Category 5 - the strongest category for hurricanes. It is moving in a westerly-northwesterly direction. In the southeastern Caribbean, it has caused destruction: Six deaths have been reported in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela. The number could still increase.

Strongest Atlantic Hurricane in July

"Beryl" developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane in less than 24 hours over the weekend. It is the first hurricane of the early June-started Atlantic season. According to expert Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, "Beryl" is the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in July. The NHC reported wind speeds of up to 270 kilometers per hour - above 252 kilometers per hour is Category 5. With climate change, warmer ocean water makes strong hurricanes more likely.

The storm center made landfall on the island of Carriacou belonging to Grenada on Monday. There and on several other nearby islands, "Beryl" caused severe damage, the extent of which is currently unclear. Power outages and other storm damage are complicating communication with the affected areas.

Emergency measures and preparations

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) held an emergency meeting regarding the storm's aftermath. Several countries in the region have pledged aid for Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Venezuela, the Manzanares River overflowed, and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was injured by a falling tree during a visit.

According to forecasts, the storm is expected to approach the Cayman Islands starting Thursday night and the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula on the following evening. In Jamaica, last-minute preparations are being made - emergency shelters have been set up, and drainage systems have been cleaned to prevent flooding. The airports of Kingston and Montego Bay are expected to close from Thursday night. Holness urged the population in a speech in the evening to take precautions and pray for Jamaica.

National television and radio St Vincent and the Grenadines

  1. Despite the looming threat of hurricane "Beryl," Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica emphasized the importance of prayer, urging his citizens to stay vigilant and prepared.
  2. The weather forecast indicates that the eyes of hurricane "Beryl" may brush the coast of Jamaica, potentially leading to catastrophic storm surges and winds.
  3. The Caribbean country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been severely impacted by hurricane "Beryl," with numerous destroyed infrastructure and six reported fatalities so far.
  4. In response to the dangers posed by hurricane "Beryl," Barbados has deployed its disaster response team and encouraged its citizens to take necessary precautions.
  5. The neighboring islands of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, also located in the Atlantic, have issued warnings and begun their own preparation efforts in anticipation of hurricane "Beryl."
  6. The Venezuelan government, following the tragic events in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has implemented emergency measures to protect its citizens against the approaching hurricane.
  7. In Trinidad and Tobago, the authorities have activated their disaster management protocols and urged residents to secure their properties amidst the pending arrival of hurricane "Beryl."
  8. The Atlantic hurricane season has taken an early start, seeing the birth of one of the strongest storms on record in July: hurricane "Beryl," which reached Category 4 with winds exceeding 240 kilometers per hour.
  9. The weather in St. George's, the capital of Grenada, remains uncertain as the country recovers from the destructive path left behind by hurricane "Beryl," with many assessments and clean-up efforts yet to be completed.
  10. Following the damage caused by hurricane "Beryl," Jamaica and other Caribbean countries will face a multifaceted challenge in rebuilding their climate-resilient infrastructures and communities, necessitating a collective, global support in the aftermath.

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