Hurricane Beryl, the first major hurricane of the year, is making its way through the Caribbean and is expected to impact Mexico soon. Forming at the end of June, Beryl has already caused significant destruction in northern Venezuela, Grenada, and other Caribbean islands. Currently, it is advancing towards the Yucatan Peninsula as a category 4 hurricane with winds up to 215 kilometers per hour.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) forecasts that Beryl will make landfall in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in the early hours of Friday, July 5. The most likely impact zone stretches from Tulum to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. José Martín Cortés Aguilar, an operational meteorologist at Meteored, notes that Beryl could arrive stronger than initially expected, possibly as a category 2 hurricane.
Beryl's trajectory has caused widespread panic and misinformation in coastal cities, leading to panic buying in Quintana Roo. The intensity of the hurricane is expected to decrease due to sharp winds in the region, with signs of weakening already visible as the hurricane's eye is no longer apparent on satellite images.
The damage from a category 2 hurricane, which Beryl is likely to be upon landfall, includes extensive damage to unprotected windows, roofs, power lines, and public infrastructure. Flooding in nearby ports and broken moorings are also expected. The SMN predicts that Beryl will make a second landfall between Veracruz and Tamaulipas or further north in Texas or Louisiana.
Hurricanes making landfall twice are not uncommon. Historical examples include Hurricane Gilberto in 1988 and Hurricane Grace in 2021, both of which caused significant damage in Mexico. Beryl's early formation and rapid intensification to category 5 have surprised scientists, although it is not the most intense hurricane in Atlantic history.
The National Meteorological Service of Mexico and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador are closely monitoring Beryl's trajectory. The hurricane is expected to weaken as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula, with potential impacts on Quintana Roo, Yucatán, and Campeche by Friday morning and possibly reaching Tamaulipas and Veracruz by Saturday morning.
- Beryl's early formation and rapid intensification have set a record for the Atlantic hurricane season, which typically sees its first category 3 hurricanes between August and September. This unusual activity has raised concerns about the number and intensity of tropical cyclones expected this year.
- The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings for Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, which are all in Beryl's path. These regions are preparing for life-threatening winds and storm surges, despite uncertainty about whether the hurricane will make landfall in these areas.
- President López Obrador emphasized the importance of preparedness and prevention, urging the Mexican population to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The government is ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise from Beryl's impact.
