Hurricane Beryl Heads Towards Jamaica After Devastating The Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl is barreling towards Jamaica as a powerful Category 4 storm after ravaging islands in the southeastern Caribbean, leaving at least six people dead. A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Despite losing some intensity, Beryl is expected to remain a formidable threat when it nears or crosses Jamaica on Wednesday, the Cayman Islands on Thursday, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Late Monday, Beryl became the earliest storm on record to reach Category 5 in the Atlantic, peaking with winds of 165 mph (270 kph). By Tuesday night, it had weakened slightly but remained dangerous, with top winds of 150 mph (240 kph) and was about 300 miles (480 kilometers) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Moving west-northwest at 22 mph (35 kph), the storm continues to pose a significant threat.

Why This Matters: A hurricane watch is in effect for Haiti’s southern coast and the east coast of the Yucatan. Belize has also issued a tropical storm watch from its border with Mexico to Belize City.

Jamaican authorities have urged residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to prepare for evacuation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness stressed the importance of taking the hurricane seriously while advising against panic. "I am encouraging all Jamaicans to take the hurricane as a serious threat," Holness said in a public address. "It is, however, not a time to panic."

Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, emphasized the threat Beryl poses to Jamaica. "We are most concerned about Jamaica, where we are expecting the core of a major hurricane to pass near or over the island," he said in an online briefing. Brennan warned of life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash floods and mudslides, particularly in mountainous areas.

A tropical storm warning is also in place for the southern coast of Hispaniola, an island shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, heads towards Jamaica after devastating Caribbean islands.
• Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac are under hurricane warnings.
• Beryl peaked as a Category 5 hurricane, the earliest on record in the Atlantic.
• Jamaican authorities urge residents to prepare for potential evacuations.
• Heavy rainfall and storm surges pose significant threats of flash floods and mudslides.

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