Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of destruction in its wake as it moves toward Jamaica. The storm, which has already claimed seven lives and caused significant damage in the southeastern Caribbean, is expected to pass near or over Jamaica in the next few hours. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings about potentially deadly winds and storm surges.
Impact on the Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday, causing fatalities and widespread destruction. Three people died in Grenada, one in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and three in Venezuela. Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, reported that the island of Carriacou has been largely isolated, with homes, telecommunications, and fuel facilities wiped out. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the hurricane could endanger at least three million children and adolescents in the Caribbean.
Preparations in Jamaica
As Beryl advances towards Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 230 km/h, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a curfew and urged citizens to heed evacuation orders. Desmon Brown, manager of Kingston’s National Stadium, confirmed that his staff has been mobilized and preparations are in place to mitigate damage. The NHC expects Beryl to “pass near or over” the Cayman Islands late Wednesday or early Thursday, with tropical storm warnings issued for Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Climate Change Concerns
Experts have noted that it is very rare for such a powerful storm to form so early in the Atlantic hurricane season. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that North Atlantic waters are one to three degrees Celsius warmer than normal. UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell emphasized that climate change is driving unprecedented levels of destruction. “Disasters on a scale that used to be the stuff of science fiction are becoming meteorological fact, and the climate crisis is the main culprit,” he stated.
As Hurricane Beryl continues its path, every effort must be made to prevent further loss of life and keep vulnerable populations safe.
