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Grenada Prime Minister Says Carriacou Islands 'Flattened' in Half an Hour by Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc on the eastern Caribbean Islands, leaving a trail of destruction and devastation on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with Barbados spared the worst of the storm.

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Nitish Verma
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Hurricane

The eastern Caribbean Islands are reeling from the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm that made landfall on Monday. The island of Carriacou, north of Grenada, was particularly hard hit, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describing the damage as "flattened" in just half an hour. Neighboring Petite Martinique is also expected to have suffered "extreme" damage.

The storm brought winds of over 150 miles per hour, causing widespread destruction, including snapped trees, extensive storm surges, and roofs blown off buildings. The full extent of the damage is still unclear, with officials struggling to communicate due to a lack of power on the islands. Prime Minister Mitchell plans to visit Carriacou as soon as it is safe to do so, to assess the damage and begin the recovery process.

Why it Matters : The impact of Hurricane Beryl serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of small island nations to natural disasters. The eastern Caribbean Islands are still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which caused widespread destruction and loss of life . The region's infrastructure and economy are often severely impacted by these events, making it essential for governments and international organizations to provide support and aid in the aftermath.

Meanwhile, officials in Barbados reported that the island was spared the worst of the storm, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley stating that "this could have been far worse for us." However, the island still suffered damage, with up to 20 fishing boats, including two popular cruisers, possibly sunk. Around 40 homes were known to have sustained roof or structural damage, with that number expected to rise as more residents return home from shelters.

As the region begins to assess the damage and start the recovery process, it is clear that the impact of Hurricane Beryl will be felt for some time to come. The international community must come together to provide support and aid to those affected, to help rebuild and restore the affected areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the eastern Caribbean Islands, causing widespread destruction and leaving a trail of devastation.
  • The island of Carriacou was particularly hard hit, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describing the damage as "flattened" in just half an hour.
  • The full extent of the damage is still unclear, with officials struggling to communicate due to a lack of power on the islands.
  • The impact of Hurricane Beryl serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of small island nations to natural disasters.
  • The international community must come together to provide support and aid to those affected, to help rebuild and restore the affected areas.