Hurricane Beryl was barreling towards Jamaica after battering the southeastern Caribbean, killing at least six people across the region and flattening about 90 percent of homes on one island in the Grenadines archipelago.
Beryl, the earliest storm on record to reach Category 5 – the highest on the Saffir-Simpson Scale – was expected to start losing intensity on Tuesday evening. However, forecasters warned it would still be an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm when it passed near or over Jamaica on Wednesday and near the Cayman Islands on Thursday.
Scientists cited human-caused climate change as the likely cause of the storm’s rapid strengthening.
On Tuesday night, the storm was located about 300 miles (480km) east-southeast of the Jamaican capital, Kingston, with top winds of 150 mph (250 km/h). Officials warned residents to gather provisions and safeguard their homes.
“I urge all Jamaicans to stock up on food, batteries, candles, and water. Secure your critical documents and remove any trees or items that could endanger your property,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on X.
“Everyone, including those living alone, should take these necessary steps now,” he wrote. “It’s better to be prepared than to regret not preparing.”
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States said Jamaica appeared to be in the direct path of Beryl and that the storm would bring life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges to the island nation.
“We are most concerned about Jamaica, where we are expecting the core of a major hurricane to pass near or over the island,” said Michael Brennan, the director of the NHC, in an online briefing.
“You want to be in a safe place where you can ride out the storm by nightfall [on Tuesday]. Be prepared to stay in that location through Wednesday.”
NNEOMA UDENSI
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