Hurricane Beryl, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, has left a trail of devastation in its wake as it barreled through the Caribbean. The hurricane, classified as a Category 5 storm, wreaked havoc on the islands of Barbados and Grenada, causing widespread destruction and leaving communities in dire need of assistance.
On Monday morning, the island of Carriacou in Grenada was flattened within half an hour, with 95 percent of the power knocked out across the island. Hospitals were left without water or electricity, exacerbating the crisis. The hurricane’s winds reached a staggering 240 km/h (150 mph), damaging or destroying most homes in Grenada. The islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique were among the worst affected.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a public advisory warning that Beryl is expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surges to Jamaica. This hurricane is one of the most powerful to hit the region since Hurricane Maria in 2017, which caused catastrophic damage and a significant loss of life, particularly in Puerto Rico.
In Barbados, the impact of Hurricane Beryl was equally severe. Streets in the Hastings neighborhood of Bridgetown were filled with debris, and residents were left to navigate the aftermath of the storm. The hurricane’s rapid intensification from a Category 1 to a Category 5 storm this early in the hurricane season is unprecedented, highlighting the increasing severity of such weather events.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, described the situation as extremely dangerous and life-threatening. The NHC echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgent need for preparedness and response. Hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, and St. Vincent, with tropical storm warnings for Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad. Grenada remains in an extended state of emergency, with rainfall expected to reach up to 12 inches in some areas.
The island of St. Lucia has also experienced significant disruptions, including downed power lines, blocked roads, and scattered debris. The Dominican Republic and Haiti are under storm warnings, with rainfall expected to reach six inches. The NHC has also issued a tropical storm warning for the south coast of Hispaniola.
As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Beryl was located 1,120 km east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds of 270 km/h. The hurricane is moving quickly in a west-northwesterly direction and is expected to hit Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday. The southeastern Caribbean has not seen a hurricane this powerful since Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has once again underscored the urgent need for robust climate action and resilience-building in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) has expressed strong solidarity with all those affected by the hurricane. The CCCCC has highlighted the climate injustice faced by small island developing states, which contribute little to climate change but bear the brunt of its impacts.
The CCCCC remains committed to supporting its member states in building climate resilience. The organization has active projects in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica, aimed at enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms. The swift response of local, regional, and international agencies in providing immediate relief and support has been commendable. However, recovery and rebuilding will require sustained effort and collaboration from all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners.
The losses and damages from Hurricane Beryl are significant, highlighting the urgent need for the Loss and Damage Fund under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be rapidly operationalized. This fund would ensure that resources can flow quickly to countries impacted by climate-related disasters.
In these challenging times, the Caribbean community must stand in solidarity with those affected by Hurricane Beryl. Unity and cooperation are essential to assist those in need and to build a resilient and sustainable Caribbean region for all. The CCCCC will continue to work alongside its member states to achieve this vision.
Source: Al Jazeera, CNN
