Hurricane Beryl is intensifying its path towards Jamaica, leaving devastation in its wake across the Caribbean and prompting urgent preparations on the island. As Hurricane Beryl advances towards Jamaica, the Caribbean island braces for potentially devastating effects, following a trail of destruction across neighboring regions. The storm, projected to make landfall on Wednesday, looms as a significant threat, prompting urgent measures and closures ahead of its arrival.
Latest Developments:
- Impact in the Caribbean: Hurricane Beryl has already claimed at least six lives and caused significant damage in Carriacou, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela. Carriacou was particularly hard hit, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describing the island as “flattened” within half an hour.
- Jamaica’s Preparations: As Beryl heads towards Jamaica, the country has activated its Disaster Risk Management Act ahead of the storm’s expected landfall on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Beryl to arrive in the southern part of Jamaica as a major hurricane, possibly reaching at least Category 3 status.
- Potential Impacts: The storm surge could rise up to 8 feet above normal tide levels, posing significant risks of flooding and coastal damage. Heavy rains are expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rainfall, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 12 inches, leading to life-threatening flash floods.
- Airport Closures: Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay will close at 11:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday night, with Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston closing earlier at 10 p.m. Both closures are part of precautionary measures to ensure public safety, with assessments planned post-hurricane to determine when operations can resume.
- International Response: President Joe Biden has expressed readiness to assist affected areas, emphasizing support for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The US Embassy in the Dominican Republic has issued warnings about “life-threatening” surf and rip current conditions.
- Climate Context: Scientists attribute the intensification of hurricanes like Beryl to global warming, with warmer ocean temperatures and rising sea levels amplifying storm impacts.
Looking Ahead: Hurricane Beryl’s trajectory beyond Jamaica remains uncertain, with potential impacts on Haiti and further movements towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and northern Belize later in the week.
As the situation evolves, stakeholders continue to monitor developments closely, emphasizing preparedness and safety measures in the face of this powerful storm.
