Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean and is now advancing towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula after making landfall in Jamaica. The death toll has risen to at least seven, with fatalities reported in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela. The storm has caused widespread devastation, particularly in the southeastern Caribbean, where it destroyed 90% of homes on some islands.Jamaica, which hadn’t been hit by a major hurricane in three decades, bore the brunt of Beryl’s fury on Wednesday. Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a state of emergency, with nearly 500 people housed in shelters. The storm brought fierce winds and heavy rain to the island, causing power outages in much of the capital and forcing residents to seek shelter.As Beryl moves towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, authorities are bracing for its impact, expected between Thursday night and Friday morning. The Mexican government has deployed over 6,300 soldiers and police to support the population, and 112 shelters with a capacity for 20,000 people have been opened in Quintana Roo. Laura Velázquez, head of Mexico’s Civil Protection, announced that classes will be suspended in the state on July 4 and 5.The unprecedented intensity of Beryl so early in the hurricane season has reignited discussions about climate change. The storm broke records for the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic basin. Meteorologists are advising people to plan for storms one category higher in strength and to stay informed about changing forecasts, given the storm’s rapid intensification.As the region grapples with Beryl’s aftermath, relief efforts are underway. Organizations in South Florida are mobilizing to provide assistance to the affected Caribbean nations. The international community’s support will be crucial in helping these areas recover from what has been described as ‘Armageddon-like’ destruction.
Key points
- Hurricane Beryl has killed at least seven people and caused extensive damage across the Caribbean.
- The storm made landfall in Jamaica and is now heading towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
- Mexican authorities have deployed thousands of personnel and opened shelters in preparation for Beryl’s arrival.
- The storm’s unprecedented early-season intensity has raised concerns about climate change impacts.
Contradictions👾Some sources report six deaths, while others report seven, indicating potential discrepancies in the death toll.
👾There are varying reports on Beryl’s current category, with some sources describing it as Category 4 and others as Category 5.
