Hurricane "Beryl" brushes Jamaica and is now heading for Mexico
"Beryl" had caused severe damage in several other Caribbean countries prior to this. At least seven people have died in Grenada, Venezuela, and the island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines due to the hurricane of the second highest category 4 since Monday. The storm even reached the highest hurricane strength 5 at one point.
"Beryl" is the first hurricane since records began to have reached strength 4 in June. Moreover, no storm has ever reached the highest hurricane category 5 so early in the year.
More than 400,000 people in Jamaica were left without power after the storm passed, according to the "Jamaica Gleaner" newspaper quoting the energy supplier.
In this Caribbean country with its 2.8 million inhabitants, preparations had been made for the arrival of the storm. Many people secured their houses and brought boats ashore. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had declared a twelve-hour curfew from 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday evening and urged people to prepare emergency supplies and follow evacuation orders.
Even after the storm center had departed, life-threatening landslides and flooding were expected in Jamaica due to heavy rainfall, as warned by the NHC.
Preparations have also been made for the arrival of the storm in the Cayman Islands and Mexico: According to forecasts, "Beryl" is expected to pass close to the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and on the touristically developed Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, hurricane conditions are expected from Thursday evening.
The Mexican government has set up 112 shelters for around 20,000 people and closed schools in the state of Quintana Roo, where the storm is expected to make landfall. The Civil Protection Agency has announced the deployment of hundreds of soldiers. Electricians are also ready to repair damaged power lines. Mexico's neighboring country Belize is also preparing for storm damage.
The devastating hurricane "Beryl" also wreaked havoc in Grenada, causing significant damage and resulting in fatalities. The Hurricane reached category 4 strength in Venezuela as well, adding to the growing list of affected Caribbean countries. The rain from "Beryl" also posed a threat to Jamaica, leading to power outages affecting over 400,000 people. Even after passing, the Cayman Islands and Mexico were warned of potential storm surge and hurricane conditions. The USA's neighboring country, Mexico, took precautions by setting up shelters for thousands and closing schools in the expected path of "Beryl". Amazingly, Hurricane "Beryl" was the first recorded hurricane in June to reach category 4 strength, and it even briefly reached the unprecedented category 5 status, making it an unusual and severe hurricane season.
