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On the edge of the strongest category: "Beryl" sweeps through the Caribbean

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

,   and  Elizabeth Wells
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 Damages in the Caribbean Sea

Historic hurricane - On the edge of the strongest category: "Beryl" sweeps through the Caribbean

Hurricane "Beryl," the powerful storm, caused significant damages in the southeastern Caribbean. According to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane made landfall as a Category 4 storm over the island of Carriacou, Grenada, on Monday morning (local time). Now, "Beryl" is approaching Jamaica.

In the evening, sustained wind speeds of up to 250 miles per hour were reported - the hurricane is therefore at the threshold of the highest Category 5. According to experts, no storm this strong had ever been measured so early in the year in the Atlantic Ocean. "Beryl" is the first hurricane of the season.

Damage reports include widespread destruction of houses on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, said Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in a briefing. Power outages occurred everywhere, communication between the islands was difficult. There was initially no information about possible casualties.

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 in the region were canceled due to the hurricane. India's Men's Cricket Team is reportedly 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 during its journey through the eastern Caribbean. Today, the eye of the storm is expected to approach Jamaica, according to the NHC forecast. In a press conference, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged the population to take advantage of the time to prepare and stock up on water and canned food. "Beryl" is expected to reach the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, where popular vacation spots like Cancun lie, on Thursday.

Historic Hurricane

The storm developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane in less than 24 hours on Sunday. "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," wrote meteorologist Michael Lowry on the platform X.

"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 74 miles per hour or more, with Category 5 starting at 157 miles per hour.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season Could Be Stronger Than Usual This Year

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects an above-average strong Atlantic hurricane season in 2022. 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 Earth increases the likelihood of strong storms.

  1. Despite the threat posed by Hurricane "Beryl," Trinidad and Tobago, located further south in the Caribbean, has not issued any warnings or alerts as of yet.
  2. The Weather Channel reported that Hurricane "Beryl" could potentially impact weather patterns in Mexico, affecting popular tourist destinations like Cancun.
  3. In preparation for the approaching storm, residents of St. George's, the capital of Grenada, are stockpiling essentials like water and non-perishable food items.
  4. Experts suggest that the intense hurricane season in the Caribbean this year is a result of the confluence of several factors, including warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the emergence of "La Niña."
  5. The Electricity Authority of Barbados is actively working to restore power across the island, which was heavily affected by the storm.
  6. Hurricane "Beryl" has been causing significant disruptions to travel, with many flights between Caribbean Islands and mainland locations being canceled or delayed.
  7. The Category 4 storm, Hurricane "Beryl," has resulted in widespread destruction and substantial damage to infrastructure, particularly in the Lesser Antilles and Carriacou, an island belonging to Grenada.
  8. In comparison, the climate in India is typically characterized by monsoons, providing contrast to the tropical storms prevalent in the Caribbean Sea.
  9. In an attempt to minimize the impact of Hurricane "Beryl," authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have issued evacuation orders, urging residents in low-lying areas to seek higher ground.
  10. As Hurricane "Beryl" approaches Jamaica, rainfall is expected to be heavy, presenting additional challenges, including potential landslides and flooding, following the storm's dramatic impact on neighboring islands.

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