Hurricane Beryl Intensifies to Category 5
Hurricane Beryl, a deadly storm that has been battering the Caribbean, has intensified to a Category 5, the highest level, posing catastrophic threats as it moves toward Jamaica. The storm initially made landfall on Monday in Carriacou, part of Grenada, causing significant destruction. Reports indicate two fatalities so far, one in Grenada and another in Saint Vincent.
Trajectory and Impact
Beryl crossed open waters on Tuesday, transforming into a monster hurricane. It is projected to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday, the Cayman Islands on Thursday, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Friday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a hurricane watch for Jamaica and warnings for the Cayman Islands. Despite expectations for the storm to weaken slightly, it remains a strong Category 5 hurricane with maximum winds of 270 kilometers per hour.
The storm's rapid intensification is unprecedented for this time of year, fueled by unusually warm ocean waters. Beryl is the earliest Category 5 storm in the history of the Atlantic hurricane season, breaking several records, including being the easternmost hurricane formed in the tropical Atlantic in June.
Regional Preparations and Historical Context
Emergency teams are assessing the damage in Carriacou, where Beryl made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. Grenada's Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, emphasized the need for immediate assistance, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, pledged to rebuild the devastated areas. The last major hurricane to hit the southeastern Caribbean was Ivan, 20 years ago, which resulted in dozens of deaths in Grenada.
Looking ahead, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an above-average 2024 hurricane season, with expectations of 17 to 25 named storms, including at least 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
- A tropical storm warning has been issued for the entire southern coast of Hispaniola, the island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As Beryl continues its path through the Caribbean, the extent of the damage is still being determined.
- Beryl's rapid transformation from a tropical depression to a highly intense hurricane in just 42 hours is a rare phenomenon, having only occurred six times in the Atlantic before, and never before September. This rapid intensification underscores the unique and dangerous nature of this storm.
