Barbados Highest category: "Beryl" sweeps through the Caribbean
The dangerously strong hurricane "Beryl" has caused severe damage in the southeast of the Caribbean. It made landfall on Monday as a category 4 hurricane near the island of Carriacou, which belongs to Grenada, according to the US hurricane center NHC. It has since been upgraded to the highest category 5.
02.07.2024, 13:59
SDA
According to the NHC, sustained wind speeds of up to 260 kilometers per hour were measured late Monday evening (local time). Images on social media showed flooding, palm trees bending in the wind and the rubble of damaged houses. Devastation with extensive damage to houses was reported from the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, said Grenada's Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell in a briefing. Power was out everywhere and communication between the islands was difficult. One death has been reported so far - this occurred when a tree fell on a house.
The NHC also warned of life-threatening winds and storm surges. "Beryl" is moving in a west-north-westerly direction. It is expected to remain an extremely dangerous, severe hurricane as it moves across the eastern Caribbean, according to the NHC. On Wednesday, the eye of the storm is forecast to approach Jamaica.
"Beryl" is the first hurricane of this year's season. According to experts, not even a category 4 hurricane has been recorded in the Atlantic so early in the year.
Cricket world champions from India are stuck
In addition to Grenada, several other islands in the Lesser Antilles experienced strong winds and heavy rain, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves spoke of immense destruction on national television. The island of Union is "devastated", the power supply has been interrupted and hundreds of families currently do not know where they can find shelter, said Gonsalves. Public institutions were urged to resume work on Tuesday if possible, said the Prime Minister. The airport would remain closed.
A special meeting of the Caribbean States (CARICOM) is planned for Tuesday, writes NBC Radio St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Numerous flights in the region were canceled due to the hurricane. India's national men's cricket team is stuck in Barbados after winning the T20 World Cup on Saturday, Indian media reported.
In view of "Beryl's" course towards the Caribbean state, Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness called on the population to use the remaining time to prepare themselves and stock up on water and canned food, among other things. On Thursday, "Beryl" is expected to hit the Mexican peninsula of Yucatán, where vacation resorts such as Cancún are located.
Historic hurricane
In less than 24 hours on Sunday, "Beryl" had already developed from a tropical storm to a category 4 hurricane. "Beryl is now the earliest Category 4 Atlantic hurricane on record, surpassing Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 hurricane on July 8, 2005," wrote expert Michael Lowry on the X platform.
"Beryl" is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. The most active time is usually around September. A hurricane is defined as having wind speeds of 119 kilometers per hour or more, with the highest category - 5 - starting at 251 kilometers per hour.
Hurricane season may be stronger than usual this year
The US weather agency NOAA is expecting an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic this year. Causes include above-average water temperatures in the Atlantic and the expected onset of "La Niña", a phase of cooler water in the Pacific.
Climate change is also a factor. Global warming increases the likelihood of strong storms.
