Hurricane injures Venzuela's vice president
The first Atlantic hurricane of the season has cost six lives so far. In Venezuela, Vice President Rodriguez was almost hit by a falling tree. "Beryl" is expected to meet Jamaica on a Wednesday. The population is preparing for the worst.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was reportedly hit by a falling tree according to government statements. "She was in a Papaya plantation when a strong gust of wind knocked over several trees and one fell on her," said the president of the South American country, Nicolas Maduro, in a televised speech to supporters. "It caught her off guard, but she is conscious. She is strong. She has just written to me and sends her greetings."
Rodriguez had traveled to the Sucre state to oversee the damage caused by Tropical Storm "Beryl." The hurricane had moved through the Caribbean with wind speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour. The Manzanares River overflowed, damaging over 600 houses. The government deployed 3600 police officers and emergency responders to the northern region and transported 2000 tons of relief supplies to the disaster area. The number of confirmed fatalities now stands at six. Grenada reported three deaths, St. Vincent and the Grenadines one. Two people died in Venezuela.
Vice President Rodriguez is one of the most influential politicians in the authoritarian-ruled country. She oversees the Sebin intelligence service, which has been accused of numerous human rights violations. Her brother Jorge Rodriguez is President of the National Assembly.
Downgraded to Category 2
On its way through the Caribbean, "Beryl" has weakened slightly. According to the US Hurricane Center, it was downgraded to a Category 2 storm. The storm center came close to reaching Category 5 status with wind speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour on Tuesday afternoon (local time). "Beryl" is predicted to pass near the intensity of a major hurricane over Jamaica or very close to it on a Wednesday.
Within less than 24 hours, "Beryl" had developed from a tropical storm east of the Caribbean into a Category 4 hurricane. The storm center made landfall on the Grenadian island of Carriacou on Monday and caused extensive damage. The full extent of the damage is still unknown.
Warm Ocean Water Fuels Hurricanes
"Beryl" is the first hurricane of the early June Atlantic hurricane season in the Atlantic. So early in the season, which lasts for half a year, such a strong storm has never been recorded before. At one point, the National Hurricane Center measured wind speeds of around 270 kilometers per hour. A Category 5 storm is reached at 251 kilometers per hour. Due to climate change, warm ocean water makes strong hurricanes more likely.
Jamaica is preparing for heavy rain and wind, as well as an anticipated storm surge. The airports in Kingston and Montego Bay will reportedly remain closed starting from the night before. Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged the population to prepare with water and emergency supplies and, if necessary, to ensure their safety. According to forecasts, the storm is expected to approach the Cayman Islands and later the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula starting from Thursday night.
The forecast suggests that "Beryl" will meet Jamaica as a Category 2 hurricane on a Wednesday, potentially posing a significant threat to the island nation. Despite Venezuela already experiencing two fatalities from Tropical Storm "Beryl," international aid organizations have been mobilizing resources to assist affected Caribbean countries, recognizing the impact of such events on vulnerable communities.
