Forecasters claimed that, after killing seven people and causing extensive harm across the Southeastern Caribbean, Hurricane Beryl would move towards Jamaica, raising fears of dangerous winds and storm surge.
The strong hurricane despite diminishing somewhat on Tuesday is still a very deadly Category 4 storm with a possibility of crossing over or coming very close to Jamaica on Wednesday according to meteorologists.
Beryl is the first storm since US National Hurricane Center records began in June to reach the Category 4 level and the earliest ever Category 5 in July.
According to NHC, there had been already been a hurricane warning for this island nation where rain and flash flooding are expect along with life-threatening wind and high water levels.
Ensemble Jamaica, emergency response arrangements were underway from stores filling themselves up with needed provisions to home owners taking measures not leaving out pulling boats from water bodies.
“Jamaicans should ensure they have foodstuff, batteries, candles and water. Protect your key documents by securing them; top soil above everything else,” stated Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X.
According to NHC Beryl was “expected to pass near or over” The Cayman Islands where again hurricane warnings were issued which remains in effect until early Thursday night during which time severe weather will be experienced including tornadoes downpours gusty winds flooding rains rip currents as well as dangerous seas according to NHC forecasts
As AFP photographers reported Dominican Republic massive waves crushed into Santo Domingo’s shore line as it passed off towards its south side.
No communication
Already, however three people died in Grenada after Beryl landed Monday officials thus far estimated while also one in St Vincent plus Grenadines and three in Venezuela said authorities.
Dickon Mitchell, PM of Grenada announced at a news conference that Carriacou has lost all contact except for once this morning through satellite phone call. This is because houses telecommunication fuel depots among others have flattened down since it is the eye of the storm that hit this place.
“Carriacou’s 13.5 square miles (35 sq km) can hardly be reach in any meaningful way except for a brief call by satellite phone this morning,” said Mitchell.
According to Mitchell, at least two people on Carriacou have died. While another person was found dead in mainland Grenada when a tree fell on his house.
Officials in Venezuela indicated that one man drowned in Sucre state. When he was wash away by a flooded river. While another death occurred in Bequia an island located within St Vincent plus Grenadines through the statement of their officials.
Director-General of WHO on X expressed anxiety over the region saying. “We are on standby to assist national authorities with any health needs.”
Alarming precedent
Experts argue that powerful hurricanes such as storms are extremely rare during such early periods of June till late November which is Atlantic hurricane season normally.
North Atlantic waters are between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius above normal temperatures ranging from 2 to 5°F at present according to NOAA.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says Beryl represents the first of many such storms due to a very active hurricane season.
NOAA said in late May it expects this year to be an “extraordinary” hurricane season, with up to seven Category 3 or stronger storms.
-Climate crisis ‘chief culprit’-
UN Climate Chef Simon Stiell whose family lives on Carriacou described. How climate change was “pushing disasters to record-breaking new levels of destruction.”
“Disasters that used to only exist in science fiction are now meteorologic realities, and the climate crisis is the chief cause,” he said yesterday, while disclosing his parents’ place had been affected.
According to the NHC, as of 2300 GMT. Beryl had reached top winds of 150 mph (240 kph) approaching Jamaica and Cayman Islands by Tuesday.
Parts of Haiti are also under hurricane watch and tropical storm warning.
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