Janice R. Andrews
Jamaica’s Kingston (AP) — Hurricane Beryl is moving powerfully toward Jamaica on Wednesday, necessitating immediate island preparations. At least six individuals have already lost their lives as a result of this Category 4 hurricane, which has also severely damaged the southeast Caribbean.
To lessen the impact of the approaching storm, Kingston homeowners are taking preventative measures like boarded-up windows, secured boats, and taken down roadside advertising.
The Course and Effects of Hurricane Beryl:
A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac by the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Beryl is still anticipated to be at or near major hurricane strength when it reaches Jamaica on Wednesday, the Cayman Islands on Thursday, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Friday. Beryl is expected to weaken somewhat during the next 48 hours.
The eastern coast of Yucatan and the southern coast of Haiti are both under hurricane warning, and Belize has issued a tropical storm watch extending from its border with Mexico to Belize City.
Beryl’s Potential and Strengths:
Beryl reached its strongest point on Tuesday with gusts of 165 mph (270 kph), making it the earliest Category 5 hurricane in Atlantic history before weakening to a Category 4. Beryl was traveling 20 mph (31 kph) in a west-northwest direction as of early Wednesday, approximately 125 miles (200 km) southeast of Kingston and with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 kph).
Precautionary Actions and Alerts:
Authorities alert Jamaica to the possibility of life-threatening winds and storm surges brought on by Beryl. In order to prevent panic, citizens have been advised by Prime Minister Andrew Holness to take the hurricane seriously. “I am encouraging all Jamaicans to take the hurricane as a serious threat,” he stated.
Director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center Michael Brennan highlighted Jamaica’s vulnerability in an online briefing and advised locals to seek shelter and remain safe through Wednesday.
Southeast Caribbean region devastated:
In the southeast Caribbean, Beryl has already wreaked havoc, causing substantial damage and fatalities. Three people have died in Grenada and Carriacou, one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and two in northern Venezuela, where 25,000 people have been affected by severe rains, according to reports.
Dickon Mitchell, the prime minister of Grenada, announced extensive damage, blocked roads, and no power, along with a possible increase in the number of fatalities. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines promised to rebuild, pointing out that Union Island had been destroyed to a 90% degree and that Myreau and Canouan were predicted to suffer comparable destruction.
Authorities and citizens in Jamaica are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Beryl in an effort to lessen its potential effects.
