Hurricane Beryl increases to category 5, poses major threat to Caribbean islands
(MENAFN) The US National Hurricane Center issued a dire warning as Hurricane Beryl intensified into a Category 5 storm while advancing through the eastern Caribbean region. Describing the storm as potentially catastrophic, the center highlighted that although fluctuations in strength are possible, Beryl is expected to maintain its status as a major hurricane as it approaches Jamaica. Currently, Beryl is situated approximately 1,355 kilometers east-southeast of Jamaica, with sustained winds reaching 260 kilometers per hour.
Reports from the National Hurricane Center indicated that the island of Carriacou in Grenada bore the brunt of Hurricane Beryl's "extremely dangerous eyewall," experiencing sustained winds exceeding 150 mph. Nearby islands, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, also faced catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surges as the powerful hurricane swept through the region.
The intensification of Hurricane Beryl comes amid predictions of an exceptionally active hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean for 2024 by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Elevated ocean temperatures, nearing record levels, have been cited as contributing factors to the heightened hurricane activity expected throughout the year.
Authorities in the Caribbean and neighboring regions are closely monitoring the trajectory of Hurricane Beryl and implementing necessary precautions to safeguard residents and mitigate potential damages from the powerful storm.
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