Hurricane Beryl has been classified as an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm as it approaches the Windward Islands in the southeast Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center issued a stern warning on Sunday night, emphasizing the life-threatening winds and storm surge expected to impact the region early Monday. As of 11 p.m. ET, Beryl was located approximately 150 miles southeast of Barbados, boasting maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and moving west at 20 mph.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Martinique, while Dominica and Trinidad are under a tropical storm watch. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center described the situation as “very serious,” forecasting that Beryl would bring life-threatening conditions as it moves across the Windward Islands early Monday and continues through the southeastern Caribbean on Monday night and Tuesday.
Two hurricane hunters are en route to gather more data on Beryl’s intensity. The storm’s rapid intensification is notable, having strengthened from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours—a rare occurrence in Atlantic hurricane history. Beryl is only the third Category 3 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic in June, following Audrey in 1957 and Alma in 1966. Hurricane expert Sam Lillo and storm surge specialist Michael Lowry have both highlighted the unusual and historic nature of Beryl.
The last major hurricane to hit the southeast Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which caused catastrophic damage in Grenada as a Category 3 storm. Beryl is the second named storm in what is predicted to be a busy hurricane season, running from June 1 to November 30. Last week, Tropical Storm Alberto caused torrential flooding in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, resulting in at least four deaths.
CBS News weather producer David Parkinson noted that Beryl is the farthest east a hurricane has formed in June, with only one other instance occurring in 1933. Parkinson expects Beryl to remain south of Jamaica, with any potential U.S. impacts still at least eight days away. Warm ocean waters are fueling Beryl, with ocean heat content in the deep Atlantic at a record high for this time of year, according to University of Miami tropical meteorology researcher Brian McNoldy.
Forecasters are warning of a life-threatening storm surge of up to 9 feet in areas where Beryl will make landfall, with up to 6 inches of rain expected for Barbados and nearby islands. Long lines have formed at gas stations and grocery stores in Barbados and other islands as residents rush to prepare for the storm. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged the public to plan for the worst and pray for the best, noting the thousands of people in Barbados for the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves also urged residents to prepare, announcing that shelters would open Sunday evening. He ordered officials to refuel government vehicles and asked grocery stores and gas stations to stay open later. Caribbean leaders are not only preparing for Beryl but also for a cluster of thunderstorms trailing the hurricane, which have a 70% chance of becoming a tropical depression.
The National Hurricane Center noted that the season’s first hurricane usually forms in early to mid-August, making Beryl’s early formation unusual. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an “above average” hurricane season with 17 to 25 storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes, and 4 to 7 major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of which are hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
A tropical storm is defined as a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph, while a hurricane has maximum sustained winds greater than 74 mph. As of 11 p.m., Hurricane Beryl was located about 150 miles southeast of Barbados and about 245 miles east-southeast of St. Vincent, moving west at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.
Meteorologist Eric Stone from Max Defender 8 noted that Beryl is expected to come very close to making landfall in Barbados, St. Vincent, and the Windward Islands as a Category 4 storm with strong winds and high storm surge. Beryl is expected to weaken before making landfall in the Yucatan due to increased wind shear and drier air. Once it emerges in the Bay of Campeche, it could impact the eastern Mexican coast and possibly extreme south Texas, but it is expected to stay well away from Florida.
Beryl is now the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record, surpassing Hurricane Dennis on July 8, 2005. The following areas are under hurricane warnings: Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada, and Tobago. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Martinique and Trinidad, while tropical storm watches are in effect for Dominica and parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The government of Barbados has begun opening emergency shelters and ordered all businesses to close by 7 p.m. The Barbados Water Authority has asked residents to store potable water as it will shut down water lines across the island as a precaution. The center of the hurricane is expected to travel 75 to 80 miles south of Barbados on Monday morning, with winds projected to reach near 145 mph.
St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced a national shutdown starting Sunday evening, with schools remaining closed on Monday. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority urged the public to stay indoors and avoid entering the ocean. The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has canceled all police leave in preparation for Beryl.
In Grenada, a state of emergency will go into effect at 7 p.m. Sunday and remain for a week. The National Disaster Management Agency encouraged the public to secure three days of nonperishable food and water. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging the public to prepare and remain calm.
Source: CBS/AP, NOAA, National Hurricane Center, University of Miami, Max Defender 8, AFP via Getty Images, USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters, NBC News Digital
