Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded in the Atlantic, originated in the tropical Atlantic and made landfall in the southeast Caribbean, specifically Carriacou in Grenada, as a Category 4 storm. This occurred on July 1, 2024. The storm resulted in six fatalities, with three in Grenada, one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and two in northern Venezuela, where five people remain missing.
As the hurricane moves west-northwest at 22 mph (35 kph), the National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica and a hurricane watch for the Cayman Islands and Haiti’s entire southern coast. Forecasts predict that Beryl will weaken but still maintain near-major hurricane strength when it nears or passes over Jamaica, reaching the Cayman Islands on Thursday and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday.
Due to the storm’s intensified winds and storm surge, there is a risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in the mountainous islands of the Caribbean. Hurricane Beryl caused widespread destruction in Carriacou, with scores of homes and businesses flattened and basic necessities such as water, food, and baby formula urgently needed. Rescue teams are currently assessing the extent of damage across the region.
