At Least Five Killed By Hurricane Beryl In Caribbean And Venezuela, Now Likely To Hit Jamaica

The formation of such a powerful storm so early in the Atlantic hurricane season is rare, with Beryl being the earliest Category 4 as well as Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the tropical Atlantic.

Hurricane Beryl was headed towards Jamaica on Wednesday as it tore through the Caribbean. According to AFP, at least five people have been killed by the powerful storm. On Monday, the storm made landfall in Carriacou, an island in Grenada, as a Category-4 storm before intensifying to Category 5, NBC News reported.

The storm has reportedly claimed at least three lives in Grenada, as well as one in St Vincent and the Grenadines and one in Venezuela.

The formation of such a powerful storm so early in the Atlantic hurricane season is rare, with Beryl being the earliest Category 4 as well as Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the tropical Atlantic. This powerful hurricane had weakened on Tuesday but was still an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 storm. According to forecasters, the storm is expected to pass "near or over" Jamaica on Wednesday, reported AFP. 

Emergency Operations In Jamaica

US National Hurricane Center (NHC) director Michael Brennan advised people in Jamaica to be in safe places by nightfall, and “be prepared to shelter in place through the day on Wednesday”.

The NHC had issued a hurricane warning for the island nation, and said rain and flash-flooding were expected in addition to life-threatening wind and storm surges. Emergency response preparations were underway in Jamaica, including shelters stocking up on provisions. 

"I urge all Jamaicans to stock up on food, batteries, candles, and water. Secure your critical documents and remove any trees or items that could endanger your property," Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on X. 

Aside from Jamaica, hurricane warnings were also issued in the Cayman Islands, with the NHC saying the storm is “expected to pass near or over” them on Wednesday night or early Thursday.

Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Tuesday they had had virtually no communication with the island of Carriacou in the last 12 hours, "except briefly this morning by satellite phone”.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about the region, saying on X that his organisation "stands ready to support the national authorities with any health needs".