Hurricane Beryl's Path of Destruction
Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, is wreaking havoc across the Caribbean and is now poised to impact Jamaica and Mexico. The storm, with winds exceeding 250 kilometers per hour, has already caused significant damage and loss of life in several countries.
Jamaica Prepares for Impact
In Jamaica, authorities are bracing for Beryl's landfall this Wednesday afternoon. The National Hurricane Center has warned that the storm will bring strong winds and a towering storm surge. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the entire island a 'disaster zone' and imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to ensure public safety. Residents are urged to prepare for potential flooding and power outages.
Mexico on High Alert
Mexico is also on high alert as Beryl is expected to make landfall twice. The Yucatan Peninsula will be the first to face the storm on Thursday night or early Friday as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. The storm is then predicted to regain strength and hit the border between Tamaulipas and Veracruz on Sunday or Monday. Authorities are preparing for the worst as the National Meteorological Service confirms an exceptionally intense tropical cyclone season influenced by La Niña.
Devastation Across the Caribbean
The storm has already claimed at least seven lives and caused extensive damage in Venezuela, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. In Venezuela, three people have died, and 8,000 homes have been affected, with 400 homes completely destroyed. In Grenada, travel agents and residents faced anxiety and fear as they rode out the storm. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
- Forecasters are closely monitoring Hurricane Beryl's trajectory as it approaches Jamaica. The storm is currently centered about 400 km southeast of Kingston and moving at 35 km/h. Tropical storm conditions are expected to escalate to hurricane conditions by midday Wednesday.
- In Mexico, the National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for the Yucatan Peninsula and the border between Tamaulipas and Veracruz. Residents are advised to secure their homes and stock up on essential supplies.
- The Caribbean nations are still reeling from the storm's impact. In Grenada, the storm surge was less severe on the southern tip where travel agent Elaine Pesto was staying, but the anxiety and fear were palpable. In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro has ordered full support for affected families as the country deals with the aftermath.
- The early formation of Beryl and its rapid intensification to a Category 5 storm underscore the severity of this year's hurricane season, influenced by the La Niña phenomenon. Authorities across the Caribbean and Central America are on high alert, preparing for potential further impacts.
