Historic Caribbean storm - One dead after hurricane "Beryl" in Jamaica
Dangerous Hurricane "Beryl" has cost at least one life in Jamaica. In the northwest of the Caribbean island, a woman died after a tree fell on her house, according to a spokesperson of the disaster management to CNN.
Rescue teams in the capital Kingston were also searching for a 20-year-old who had fallen into a gully and been carried away by the floodwaters, reported the newspaper "The Gleaner" on a Wednesday (local time). Hurricane Beryl has thus taken at least eight lives in the Caribbean, local media reported. Previously, three deaths had been reported in Grenada and Venezuela, and one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Winds of up to 215 km/h
After its destructive path over several smaller Caribbean islands, Hurricane "Beryl" reached Jamaica as a Hurricane of the second strongest category 4 with sustained winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour on a Wednesday, according to the US Hurricane Center NHC. The storm center passed along the southwest coast of the country with a population of around three million people.
In the night to Thursday, "Beryl" then moved over the sea and weakened to Category 3. The Hurricane warning for Jamaica was therefore lifted. However, there is still a risk of heavy rainfall and landslides, warned the meteorological service.
In Jamaica, some roads were impassable due to uprooted trees or flooding, according to the disaster management agency ODPEM. Around 400,000 households were without power, local media reported. Reports of major damage were initially not available. On social media images, uprooted power lines and covered roofs could be seen.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that nearly 500 people had been placed in emergency shelters. He had previously declared a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. (local time).
Not everyone followed this - the newspaper "Jamaica Observer" reported that some residents of the capital Kingston were dancing in the heavy rain. Holness announced the deployment of police and military after the passage of the hurricane to help with the aftermath and maintain order.
Apocalyptic destruction
"Beryl", the first hurricane of the early June season in the Atlantic, had developed from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane within less than 24 hours over the weekend.
The storm center made landfall on the Grenadian island of Carriacou on Monday. There and on the nearby island of Petite Martinique, 98 percent of the buildings were damaged or destroyed, according to the government. Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell spoke of apocalyptic destruction.
Similarly, Union Island, which belongs to the state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, was also affected.
Never before in the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts half a year, had such a strong storm been recorded - according to expert Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, "Beryl" is the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic in July. At one point, the NHC measured wind speeds of around 270 kilometers per hour - above 252 kilometers per hour is Category 5. In the context of climate change, warmer sea water makes strong hurricanes more likely.
"Beryl" as a consequence of the climate crisis
Mitchell named the hurricane a direct consequence of the climate crisis. He emphasized that small island developing nations like Grenada would no longer endure bearing the consequences of climate change and incurring debts for rebuilding, while the main culprits took no action. The European Union pledged humanitarian aid of a total of 450,000 Euro to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
"Beryl" continues to move in a westerly-northwesterly direction. According to the NHC's forecasts, the storm center will pass close to the south of the Cayman Islands tonight (local time) and make landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico on Friday night.
Mexico prepares for Hurricane "Beryl"
"Beryl" is predicted to weaken somewhat in the coming days but will still remain a hurricane. Preparations are underway in Yucatan's vacation spots - authorities have reportedly saved more than 10,000 sea turtle eggs from nests on Playa Delfines beach in Cancun.
- The storm also impacted nearby islands such as St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, causing significant damage.
- The Hurricane Center NHC tracked "Beryl" moving towards Venezuela, where heavy rains and strong winds were predicted.
- In Haiti, weather forecasts warned of potential impacts from "Beryl," urging residents to stay vigilant.
- CNN reported on the Climate Crisis's role in intensifying hurricanes, mentioning "Beryl" as a recent example.
- The Dominican Republic was monitoring the storm's path closely, preparing for potential impacts on its eastern coast.
- Hurricane "Beryl" continued its path towards the Atlantic, potentially threatening Barbados in its next destination.
- Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica called for unity and resilience in the aftermath of the hurricane, expressing hope for a swift recovery.
- The woman from Jamaica, whose death was reported due to Hurricane "Beryl," was remembered by her community for her strength and kindness.
- The storm caused power outages and damage in major cities such as Kingston, requiring local efforts to restore services.
- In Grenada, the government and relief organizations worked to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the hurricane's destruction.
- Hurricane "Beryl"'s impact on the Caribbean also reminded neighboring countries like Mexico to be prepared for potential hurricane seasons.
- The storm's journey through the Atlantic underscores the importance of climate change awareness and the need for strong disaster response plans.
