Strong hurricane "Beryl" strikes Jamaica

Historic Caribbean storm - Strong hurricane "Beryl" strikes Jamaica

After passing destructively through several smaller Caribbean islands, Hurricane "Beryl" reached Jamaica. The storm center passed the southern coast of the country with approximately three million inhabitants, as reported by the US Hurricane Center NHC. With sustained wind speeds of up to 215 kilometers per hour, "Beryl" has reportedly weakened slightly but remains a Category 4 hurricane of the second strongest level. The storm brought heavy winds and heavy rain. Information on damages and potential victims in Jamaica has not been reported yet.

Some roads were impassable due to uprooted trees or flooding, according to the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Agency ODPEM. Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that nearly 500 people have been placed in emergency shelters. He previously declared a nationwide curfew from 6:00 PM (local time). Not everyone adhered to this - the "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 hurricane to help with the aftermath and maintain order.

Apocalyptic destruction

"Beryl," the first hurricane of the early June season in the Atlantic, developed into a Category 4 hurricane from a tropical storm in less than 24 hours over the weekend. The storm center made landfall on the Grenadian island of Carriacou on Monday. Damages were reported to be 98% on Carriacou and the nearby island of Petite Martinique, 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 harshly. A total of seven deaths have been reported due to the storm: two each in Grenada and Venezuela, and one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Never before, so early in the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts for half a year, had such a strong storm been recorded - according to expert Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, "Beryl" is the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in July. 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 powerful hurricanes more likely.

"Beryl" as a consequence of the climate crisis

Mitchell called the hurricane a direct consequence of the climate crisis. He emphasized that small island developing nations should no longer bear the consequences of climate change and incur debts for rebuilding while the main responsible countries do nothing. The European Union pledged humanitarian aid of a total of 450,000 Euros to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

"Beryl" moves further in westerly-northwesterly direction. The storm center, according to NHC forecasts, will pass close to the south of the Caiman Islands in the night (local time) and make landfall again over the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula in the night of Friday. "Beryl" is expected to weaken somewhat in the next few days but will remain a hurricane. Preparations are underway in Yucatan's vacation spots - about more than 10,000 sea turtle eggs from nests at Playa Delfines in Cancun were brought to safety by the authorities.

1. Despite the impact of Hurricane "Beryl" on Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the Caribbean remained unaffected, as reported by meteorological sources.
2. The Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines experienced significant flooding due to the heavy rain brought by Hurricane "Beryl".
3. The Hurricane Center NHC predicted that Hurricane "Beryl" would pass near the Caiman Islands before making landfall in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
4. Warnings and advisories were issued for several Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and Barbados, due to the potential impact of Hurricane "Beryl".
5. Hurricane "Beryl" brought reminders of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Andrew Holness, which hit Jamaica in 1992, causing massive destruction.
6. The Mexican government deployed its military to help with the aftermath and maintain order in areas affected by Hurricane "Beryl".
7. The Atlantic Ocean saw another powerful storm emerge, with Hurricane "Beryl" reaching Category 4 status, threatening more Caribbean islands.
8. The storm center of Hurricane "Beryl" moved away from Jamaica, leaving behind rain and wind, prompting calls for climate change awareness and action.
9. Venezuela, already facing a drought, was further affected by Hurricane "Beryl", with heavy rain causing additional flooding in vulnerable areas.
10. The strong wind speeds of Hurricane "Beryl" were reminiscent of the deadly "Armageddon" storm that affected several Caribbean islands in 2018.
11. Hurricane "Beryl"'s significant impacts on the Caribbean spurred calls for greater international cooperation and support for small island developing nations.
12. The Government of Grenada expressed concern about the increasing frequency and severity of hurricanes, attributing them to climate change and its consequences.
13. As Hurricane "Beryl" passed near the Caribbean Sea, meteorologists warned of potential storm surges and strong waves affecting coastal areas.
14. Hurricane "Beryl"'s strength was equivalent to what would typically be associated with a Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean, highlighting climate change's potential impacts on Caribbean weather patterns.

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