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Highest category: "Beryl" sweeps through the Caribbean

Never before has such a strong Atlantic hurricane been recorded so early in the year - "Beryl" has reached the highest category. It is the first hurricane of the season, and many more could follow.

,   and  Mark Rodriguez
3 min read
Hurricane "Beryl" reaches the southeastern islands of the Caribbean
Hurricane "Beryl" reaches the southeastern islands of the Caribbean

Dangerous Hurricane "Beryl" Caused Severe Damage in the Caribbean SE

Historic hurricane - Highest category: "Beryl" sweeps through the Caribbean

Hurricane "Beryl," the powerful storm, caused significant damage in the southeastern Caribbean. According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), it made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane over the island of Carriacou, Grenada, on Monday morning (local time). The storm was later upgraded to Category 5, the highest category for hurricanes. Jamaica was expected to be the next target.

At late evening (local time), NHC reported sustained winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour. Experts stated that no hurricane of Category 4 had been measured so early in the year in the Atlantic. "Beryl" was the first hurricane of the season.

Damage reports included widespread destruction of houses on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, according to Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in a briefing. Power was out everywhere, and communication between islands was difficult. One death was reported - it occurred when a tree fell on a house.

Several other islands in the Lesser Antilles experienced strong winds and heavy rain, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. Social media images showed flooding, palm trees bending in the wind, and damaged houses. The NHC warned of extremely dangerous conditions with life-threatening winds and storm surges.

Indian Cricket Team Stranded

Numerous flights were canceled in the region due to the hurricane. India's Men's Cricket Team was stranded on Barbados after winning the T20 World Championship on Saturday, according to Indian media.

"Beryl" is moving in a west-northwesterly direction. The NHC expects it to remain an extremely dangerous, heavy hurricane as it travels over the eastern Caribbean. Jamaica is predicted to be in its path on Wednesday. In a press conference, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged the population to prepare, stock up on water and canned food, and take other precautions. The hurricane is expected to reach the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, including popular tourist destinations like Cancun, on Thursday.

Historic Hurricane

In less than 24 hours, it had developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane on Sunday. Michael Lowry, an expert, wrote on the platform X that "Beryl is now the earliest Atlantic hurricane of Category 4 on record, surpassing Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 hurricane on July 8, 2005."

"Beryl" is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. The most active period is usually around September. A hurricane is defined as winds of 119 kilometers per hour or more, with Category 5 starting at 251 kilometers per hour.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Be More Active Than Usual This Year

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects an above-average active hurricane season in the Atlantic this year. Factors include unusually high water temperatures in the Atlantic and the anticipated onset of "La Niña," a phase of cooler Pacific waters.

Climate change is also a factor. The warming of the Earth increases the likelihood of stronger storms.

  1. Despite the impending danger from Hurricane "Beryl," the West Indies cricket tournament scheduled in St. George's, Grenada, remained undeterred.
  2. The severe damage caused by Hurricane "Beryl" in Carriacou, Grenada, significantly impacted the region's electricity supply, leaving many areas in darkness.
  3. Residents of Jamaica, after witnessing the devastation in neighboring islands, were bracing themselves for the Category 4 hurricane predicted to hit their shores.
  4. The Atlantic hurricane season had only just begun, but with Hurricane "Beryl" reaching Category 5 status, experts warned of a potentially more active season than usual.
  5. The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia, still reeling from the effects of the storm, shared harrowing stories of Hurricane "Beryl" on social media.
  6. In the aftermath of Hurricane "Beryl," the Indian Cricket Team, stranded in Barbados, had to postpone their return home due to the disrupted air travel.
  7. The islands of Martinique and Trinidad and Tobago also reported high winds and heavy rainfall from the hurricane, adding to the growing list of affected countries in the Caribbean.
  8. Following the historic Category 4 hurricane, meteorologists and climatologists began discussions on how climate change may influence future hurricane strength and frequency in the Caribbean.
  9. The residents of Carriacou, Grenada, and other impacted islands, in the face of death and destruction, began the arduous task of rebuilding their homes and communities.
  10. Hurricane "Beryl," as it moved west-northwestward, was forecasted to impact Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including popular tourist destinations like Cancun, by Thursday, causing concerns for the region's tourism industry.

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