BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm with 155mph winds, has left a trail of destruction in its wake as it made landfall in the Windward Islands after passing through Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The storm, which flattened Carriacou Island within half an hour, has resulted in at least seven fatalities, with three deaths reported in Grenada, three in northern Venezuela, and one in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
The intensity of Hurricane Beryl escalated rapidly, becoming the earliest Category 5 storm recorded in the Atlantic before reverting to a Category 4 storm. The storm’s deadly impact has prompted warnings and preparation measures in multiple regions, with Hispaniola expected to face up to three feet of storm surge. Jamaica, already under a Hurricane Warning, anticipates the storm’s arrival on Wednesday, while the Cayman Islands are preparing for impact on Thursday night. Forecast projections suggest that Hurricane Beryl may maintain its strength as it progresses, potentially reaching Texas over the weekend.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed a third death linked to Hurricane Beryl, with the total death toll rising to seven. The storm has caused extensive damage, with reports of 8,000 homes affected, including 400 completely destroyed. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines described the damage as “horrendous”, estimating losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
President Joe Biden highlighted the impact of the climate crisis as Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc, underscoring the relationship between warmer ocean temperatures and the storm’s rapid escalation. The storm’s historic achievements include becoming the earliest Category 5 and Category 4 hurricanes in the Atlantic, raising concerns about the role of climate change in fostering extreme weather events. As Hurricane Beryl advances towards Jamaica, authorities urge the population to prioritize safety measures to mitigate potential risks and safeguard lives.