Hurricane Beryl: Deadly storm roars towards Jamaica
The ocean's waves crash as Hurricane Beryl heads towards Jamaica.
Jamaica is preparing for a strong hurricane as it heads towards the Caribbean island.
Beryl, a powerful storm with winds reaching around 140mph (220km/h), is projected to move close to or possibly over the southern coastline in the coming hours, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
It is forecasted that Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will experience "winds and storm surge that pose a danger to life" in the near future.
At least seven individuals have lost their lives as the storm moves across the Caribbean.
Jamaica is currently under a hurricane warning, with officials setting a curfew from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time (11:00 AM to 11:00 PM GMT).
Prime Minister Andrew Holness advised individuals to "treat this hurricane with utmost seriousness."
"If you reside in a region that is known for experiencing floods and landslides due to its low elevation, or if your home is situated near a river or in a valley, I urge you to relocate to a shelter or a more secure location," he advised.
Watch as a resident from Union Island describes how Hurricane Beryl has affected the island.
Three individuals lost their lives in Grenada as the storm hit the area on Monday, while one person died in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Additionally, three individuals in northern Venezuela were also tragically killed due to the strong winds and flooding caused by the storm.
Almost all the houses on Union Island, which is a part of St Vincent and the Grenadines, were either completely destroyed or badly damaged.
Some areas in Jamaica have had problems with their power and electric services. The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) had to stop fixing power lines in certain places to keep their workers safe.
During a press conference, the head of the NHC, Dr. Michael Brennan, stated that Jamaica would face "destructive winds from a hurricane".
In certain areas of the country, there may be up to 12 inches (30cm) of rain, which could cause floods and mudslides, according to the director. Additionally, there is a risk of storm surges reaching as high as 9 feet (2.7m) above sea level, which could be life-threatening.
Dr Brennan cautioned that everyone in Jamaica should find a secure location and ensure they are ready to remain there for a minimum of 12 hours.
People have been getting ready for the hurricane by buying extra things they might need.
BBC reporter Nick Davis explained that Jamaicans were quickly going to grocery stores on Tuesday to purchase as many items as possible in a short amount of time.
Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica's Information Minister, stated that the island had 900 shelters available for those who needed to evacuate their residences.
Cumanacoa, a town located in the Sucre state of Venezuela, has been experiencing severe flooding.
In Venezuela, the heavy rains from Hurricane Beryl led to a river overflowing in the northern state of Sucre. Sadly, three individuals lost their lives and there are still several people unaccounted for.
A group of government officials was struck by a tree that fell while they were examining the destruction.
President Nicolás Maduro reported that Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez was one of the individuals who sustained injuries. He stated that she was "quite battered, but still alert".
In Mexico, where Hurricane Beryl is predicted to arrive soon, people in Cancún have hurried to grocery stores to buy supplies. Some have found that the shelves are bare.
The National Hurricane Center mentioned that Hurricane Beryl became a category five storm earlier than any other recorded storm in the Atlantic. It also formed much sooner in the hurricane season than is typical.
Weather experts have also observed the rapid development of Beryl.
According to hurricane specialist Sam Lillo, the tropical depression rapidly intensified into a powerful hurricane within just 42 hours, as reported by the Associated Press.
Hurricane Beryl's Forecasted Track
Government officials in Texas have advised residents to get ready for the potential arrival of Tropical Storm Beryl this weekend.
In a recent announcement, Governor Greg Abbott advised individuals living along the Atlantic coast to stay vigilant of the gulf and be prepared with a plan to ensure the safety of themselves and their families.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has cautioned that there could be up to seven significant hurricanes in the North Atlantic this year, which is higher than the normal average of three per season.
