Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph finds herself stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, roars past the island. Known for her role as Barbara Howard on the hit ABC show, Ralph has been sharing updates on social media, urging everyone to stay safe and indoors.
Hurricane Beryl, with wind gusts reaching up to 165 miles per hour, has been wreaking havoc near the coast of South Jamaica. The storm has brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing significant damage and power outages across the island, including much of the capital, Kingston. Residents and tourists alike have been advised to take shelter until the storm passes.
Ralph, who is married to Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, has been actively posting on social media, advising people to stay off the roads and take necessary precautions. “Stay off the road in Kingston. I hope you’ve put oil in your lamp and are taking extra care,” she said in one of her posts.
The storm has already claimed at least seven lives and caused extensive damage in the southeast Caribbean. Ralph’s son, Etienne Maurice, is also in Jamaica, preparing for his wedding to ABC News journalist Stephanie Wash, scheduled for Saturday, July 6. Despite the storm, the couple remains hopeful and plans to proceed with their ceremony.
“We are praying this hurricane passes, everyone remains safe, and there’s no destruction to the island,” Maurice and Wash said. “This hurricane was unexpected and unprecedented. Once we’re through this challenge, we know we can get through anything together.”
The couple acknowledged that many of their guests had to cancel their flights due to the storm, but they remain optimistic. “For now, the wedding is still on for Saturday, but we are monitoring things closely,” they added.
Ralph posted a video on X (formerly known as Twitter) early Wednesday morning, sharing her observations as they braced for the hurricane’s impact. “From the looks of the sky, it looks like Beryl is gonna be here much sooner than the news keeps saying,” she said, noting the calm and clear sky in Jamaica.
She also mentioned taking in all the outside furniture to prevent it from being blown away by the strong winds. “Please stay inside,” she urged, reminding everyone to follow the island’s curfew and stay off the roads.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of “devastating hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and damaging waves” as Beryl continues its path over Jamaica before heading towards the Cayman Islands. The storm’s arrival has led to the closure of Jamaica’s two major airports, Norman Manley International in Kingston and Sangster International in Montego Bay, forcing airlines to cancel flights in and out of the area.
Beryl is expected to continue towards the Cayman Islands and then head towards Mexico later this week. Hurricane warnings are in effect for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, including popular tourist destinations like Costa Maya, Tulum, Cozumel, and Cancún.
By Thursday morning, Beryl had weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph as it approached the Cayman Islands. The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds and storm surge that could produce a water rise of 4 to 6 feet, along with half a foot of rain.
The next landfall for Beryl is likely to be on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where major resorts such as Cancun, Playa De Carmen, and Tulum are under hurricane warnings. Beryl could be a Category 1 hurricane as it reaches the Mexican resorts early Friday morning, with wind gusts near 74 to 85 mph, storm surge up to 3 feet, and up to 8 inches of rain.
By Friday evening, Beryl is expected to cross into the southern Gulf of Mexico and weaken into a tropical storm. As it moves over the Gulf, it could re-intensify back into a hurricane, with winds near 75 mph ahead of landfall. The exact location of its landfall along the Gulf Coast is still uncertain, with models predicting anywhere from northeastern Mexico to Texas’ Gulf Coast.
Regardless of Beryl’s strength, it is expected to bring heavy rain to southern Texas. The prolonged period of onshore winds along the U.S. Gulf Coast could also create rough beach conditions, including a risk for rip currents during the holiday weekend.
Sheryl Lee Ralph has been vocal about the need for prayers and support during this challenging time. “Pray for us as you pray for others,” she said in a heartfelt message to her fans. The Emmy winner shared her perspective on the calm before the storm in a video, noting the clear sky and calm sea in Jamaica.
Ralph’s son, Etienne, remains optimistic about the situation, despite the challenges posed by the hurricane. “Hopefully, Hurricane Beryl is not gonna be as bad as people are thinking, but this will pass,” he said in an Instagram story. “Disappointed that some people aren’t gonna make it to the wedding, but you know, such is life. It’s gonna keep going. And we’re getting married on Saturday. So, that being said, Happily Mauriced is still in full effect. Whoever will be here, will be here. Ain’t nothing I can do, I’m leaving it in God’s hands.”
As the country prepared for Beryl’s arrival, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged people to take the hurricane seriously but also advised them not to panic. Ralph echoed this sentiment, encouraging everyone to stay safe and take necessary precautions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: WPVI-TV, PEOPLE, ABC News, The Associated Press
