Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 5 storm, has left a trail of immense destruction across the Caribbean, particularly devastating Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves reported that 90% of the homes on Union Island have been severely damaged or destroyed. “Union Island has been devastated,” Gonsalves stated during a press briefing. “The roofs are gone, including that of the Union Island airport.”
Union Island, a small landmass just 3 miles long and about a mile wide, is home to roughly 3,000 residents. The island’s size pales in comparison to the sheer power of Hurricane Beryl, which escalated from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in less than two days. The storm initially made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on the nearby Grenada island of Carriacou.
Beryl has since intensified, becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin. Described as “dangerous” and “devastating” by Gonsalves, the hurricane has left a path of destruction in its wake. Alongside Union Island, the island of Bequia also suffered damage, though not as extensively. At least one fatality has been confirmed, with the possibility of more as search and rescue operations continue. The island is currently experiencing an island-wide blackout, and several communities are without water due to blocked systems.
The storm’s impact was also felt in Barbados and Carriacou, part of Grenada. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that Beryl is expected to maintain near-major hurricane intensity as it moves into the central Caribbean, passing near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday. The NHC has also cautioned that storm surges could raise water levels by 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of Jamaica.
In Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell reported “widespread destruction and devastation” in Carriacou and Petite Martinique. “In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened,” Mitchell said, noting that while there were no immediate reports of death or injury, the situation could change. Approximately 95% of Grenada has lost power, and telecommunications are down, affecting internet services for many residents. All schools and businesses are closed, with only hospitals and the national police force remaining operational.
Beryl’s arrival marks an exceptionally early start to the Atlantic hurricane season. It became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean and the only Category 4 in June. The unusually warm ocean waters that fueled Beryl’s rapid intensification are a clear indicator of a hyperactive hurricane season, exacerbated by climate change. Jim Kossin, a hurricane expert, noted that Beryl’s record-breaking activity is due to ocean temperatures that are as warm now as they typically are at the peak of hurricane season.
Beryl’s maximum sustained winds have reached near 160 mph, with higher gusts. The NHC has indicated that fluctuations in strength are likely, but the hurricane is expected to remain near major hurricane intensity as it moves through the Caribbean. The storm’s center is projected to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday, bringing hurricane conditions to the island. Tropical storm warnings are also in effect for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
More than 400 people have been evacuated to hurricane shelters in Barbados, and a state of emergency has been declared in Grenada. Airports in Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia have been closed, with operations expected to resume in the coming days. The hurricane has also affected the Cricket World Cup, with fans stranded in Barbados.
Beryl’s long-term path remains uncertain, but it is expected to track west or northwest over the Caribbean Sea through Thursday. The hurricane could potentially make another landfall around Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Friday morning. Large swells from the storm will continue to affect the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, as well as the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.
The NHC has warned that storm surges could raise water levels by 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of Jamaica. The hurricane’s impact will extend well beyond its center, with strong winds, torrential rain, and hazardous seas affecting much of the Caribbean.
Beryl’s record-breaking activity is a troubling sign of what may come this hurricane season. Forecasters have predicted a hyperactive season, with 17 to 25 named storms and as many as 13 becoming hurricanes. The storm’s rapid intensification and early formation are highly unusual, indicating that this season will be far from normal.
Source: CBS News, CNN
