- Hurricane Beryl batters south coast of Jamaica
- The category four storm has winds up to 130mph (215km/h)
- Heavy winds and rain have felled trees and damaged buildings
- Beryl has claimed at least seven lives as it sweeps through the Caribbean
- Mexico & Texas are preparing for the storm to arrive this weekend
Hurricane Beryl batters south coast of Jamaica
Hurricane Beryl, a category four storm with winds up to 130mph (215km/h), has struck Jamaica, causing significant damage. Heavy winds and rain have felled trees and damaged buildings, with photos on social media showing flooded streets and roofs being blown off.
So far, Beryl has claimed at least seven lives as it sweeps through the Caribbean. Three people died in Grenada, where the storm first made landfall, one in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and another three in northern Venezuela. About 90% of homes on Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines were destroyed or severely damaged.
Jamaica has experienced power outages, with the Jamaica Public Service Company pausing restoration efforts for worker safety. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of devastating winds, up to 12 inches (30cm) of rainfall, and storm surges as high as 9 feet (2.7m). Residents have been urged to stay in safe places for at least the next 12 hours. Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon stated that 900 shelters are available for those needing to evacuate their homes.
In Venezuela, heavy rains from Beryl caused a river to overflow in Sucre, resulting in three deaths and several missing persons. A government delegation, including Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, was injured by a falling tree while inspecting damage.
Meanwhile, residents in Cancún, Mexico, are preparing for Beryl’s potential arrival by stocking up on supplies. Texas officials are also urging residents to prepare for the storm this weekend. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of an above-average hurricane season, with up to seven major hurricanes expected in the North Atlantic.
Hurricane Beryl's impact is being felt across most of the island as rain and wind have started to intensify within the last thirty minutes.#HurricaneBeryl #ObservingBeryl #Beryl #JamaicaObserver #AlwaysAhead pic.twitter.com/dmztpZPCoF
— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) July 3, 2024