Hurricane Beryl, which began as the earliest storm to achieve Category 5 status in the Atlantic this season, has left a trail of devastation in the Caribbean and is now advancing towards Mexico’s Caribbean coast. The storm, which has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane, caused significant damage in Jamaica and the eastern Caribbean, resulting in at least seven fatalities and extensive property damage.
Path of Destruction
Beryl wreaked havoc across several Caribbean nations, causing severe damage and disrupting lives:
- Jamaica: The hurricane passed close to Jamaica’s southern coast on Wednesday afternoon, leading to widespread power outages and damaging homes. Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported considerable destruction, emphasizing that Jamaica had not experienced the full brunt of the storm. “We can do as much as we can do, as humanly possible, and we leave the rest in the hands of God,” Holness said.
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines: The storm’s impact was most severe on the islands of Mayreau and Union Island, where approximately 95% of homes were damaged or destroyed. The region saw three fatalities, with extensive rebuilding efforts anticipated.
- Grenada and Carriacou: Beryl caused the deaths of three individuals here, including one due to a fallen tree on a house, according to Environment Minister Kerryne James.
- Barbados: Fishing boats were displaced and infrastructure was damaged as the hurricane moved through.
- Venezuela: In northern Venezuela, three deaths were reported with four people missing as the storm passed by.
Current Status and Forecast
By early Thursday, Beryl had weakened but remained a significant hurricane. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that the storm’s center was located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Grand Cayman island and approximately 385 miles (620 kilometers) east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico. With maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph), Beryl was moving west-northwest at 20 mph (31 kph). The NHC expects the storm to make landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula south of Tulum early Friday as a Category 2 hurricane before crossing into the Gulf of Mexico and potentially strengthening again.
Mexico’s Preparations
Mexico is actively preparing for Beryl’s arrival:
- Evacuations and Shelters: Authorities have established shelters and evacuated some vulnerable coastal communities.
- Sea Turtle Conservation: Efforts have been made to move sea turtle eggs from beaches at risk of being overwhelmed by storm surges.
- Tourist Alerts: In popular destinations such as Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the Navy has been patrolling and informing tourists about the impending storm in both Spanish and English.
- Despite these measures, many tourists continued with their plans. Donna McNaughton, a tourist from Scotland, exemplified this relaxed attitude: “We’re not too scared. It’ll die down. And we’re used to wind and rain in Scotland anyway,” she said while in Cancun.
Looking Ahead
Beryl’s trajectory suggests a challenging path ahead for affected areas as it progresses. The storm is projected to impact a sparsely populated region of lagoons and mangroves south of Tulum before moving across the Yucatan Peninsula. After re-entering the Gulf of Mexico, it is expected to strengthen and potentially strike Mexico’s northeastern coast near the Texas border.
As communities brace for Beryl’s impact, the resilience and preparedness of the people and governments in the hurricane’s path will be crucial in mitigating further damage and loss.
