Hurricane Beryl slams into Jamaica as Category 5 storm after ‘flattening’ Grenada: LIVE

Hurricane Beryl has strengthened as it batters the Caribbean and continues to move towards Jamaica, bringing “life-threatening” winds and a storm surge.

Jamaica, where a hurricane warning is currently in effect, is expected to experience hurricane strength on Wednesday as the storm passes near the country, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Weather experts have warned that heavy rains and flash floods are likely if record-breaking Hurricane Beryl, which has already devastated areas such as Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reaches the United States.

“Although it should begin to weaken later today, Beryl is expected to remain near major hurricane strength as it moves into the central Caribbean, passing near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday,” the NHC said in an update on Tuesday.

“Further weakening is expected thereafter, but Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.”

The NHC said winds were expected to reach tropical storm strength early Wednesday morning, making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.

Along Jamaica’s coast, the storm surge could cause water levels to rise by up to three to five feet above normal tides.

In terms of rainfall, Beryl is expected to bring totals of four to eight inches across Jamaica on Wednesday, with up to 12 inches in some areas, which could cause flash flooding.

Hurricane Beryl has caused devastation in Grenada, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describing the island of Carriacou as “devastated” within 30 minutes of announcing one death.

“We hope that there will be no other deaths or injuries,” he said, “but please keep in mind the difficulties we are facing in Carriacou and Petite Martinique.”

The last powerful hurricane to strike the southeastern Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan, which struck Grenada in 2004, leaving devastating damage.

Ivan reached Category 3 status when it passed over Grenada in September, packing maximum sustained winds of about 135 mph and causing devastation across the island, killing dozens of people.

Two decades later, Grenada is facing similar damage and destruction as the country works to assess the damage and provide relief to the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, which had limited communications in the wake of Beryl.

“It was really scary. I saw the trees shaking and branches starting to break and it reminded me of Hurricane Ivan,” said Terence Mareechaud, 71, a doctor in southeastern Grenada. The Washington Post.

“But it didn’t last as long as Hurricane Ivan, and based on the information we have so far, I don’t think it was as devastating as Hurricane Ivan.”

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said in an address to the nation that 90 percent of homes across the Union Island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines had been severely damaged or destroyed.

The airport on Union Island was also reported to have been blown over by the strong winds, with its roof lost.

Elsewhere in the country, hundreds of properties were heavily damaged following Beryl’s passage, and local reports said 28 families in the Glen area, on the border of East and West St. George, had been rendered homeless as a result, Gonsalves said.

Heavy rain and strong winds also caused damage to roofs and other structures of many homes, churches and schools, and broke trees, according to the country’s Public Information Agency.

Here’s what was seen in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines:

At least one death has been reported in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the dangerously powerful hurricane Beryl passed through the island.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced the deaths on Monday evening, saying the hurricane had “left untold destruction, pain and suffering across our country at this time.”

Gonsalves said about 90 percent of homes on the country’s Union Island were left damaged or destroyed.

Hundreds of homes and buildings, including churches, schools and government buildings across St. Vincent, were also severely damaged as the hurricane ravaged the region.

“Tomorrow we will rise with determination and conviction to rebuild our lives and the lives of our families,” Gonsalves said Monday night.

He also said the death toll could be higher, but that the government was not sure at the time.

Many areas have lost power as a result of the storm and emergency crews will be working to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so, as well as clearing debris from roads, the prime minister said.

President Joe Biden and his team say they are closely monitoring Hurricane Beryl, which has strengthened, and are in contact with territorial and local authorities.

The White House said the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have “pre-staged” resources and supplies in the region, and staff and partners are ready to help.

The President added that he stands ready to assist the people of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the region if necessary, and will work to ensure the safety of all American citizens in the region.

The president also urged residents to heed warnings from local authorities.

Beryl strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Monday, with sustained winds of 165 mph.

Hurricane Beryl continued to strengthen, with sustained wind speeds of over 100 mph, breaking two historic records in the Atlantic Ocean.

Beryl strengthened late Monday, becoming the fastest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The previous title was held by Hurricane Emily, which reached Category 5 status on July 16, 2005.

As Beryl approached the eastern Caribbean over the weekend, it became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record and the only Category 4 hurricane to form in June.

In this category, Beryl surpassed Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 storm on July 8, 2005.

The Category 4 hurricane passed over Barbados early on Monday morning, bringing strong winds and a storm surge, and authorities evacuated 400 people to hurricane shelters in Barbados on Sunday. CNN I will report.

Experts said Hurricane Beryl’s explosive growth and rapid transformation into an unprecedented storm is a sign of the literal heatwave the Atlantic and Caribbean are currently experiencing and what kind of season we can expect.

“Beryl is so unusual it’s unprecedented,” said Weather Underground co-founder Jeff Masters, a former government hurricane meteorologist who flew through the storm. “It’s so far beyond the scope of climatology that when you look at it, you say, ‘How could this happen in June?'”

AccuWeather meteorologists say Company X called its forecast for the path of Hurricane Beryl “fake” while publishing other obviously false information on its website — a decision that could cost lives.

Read the full story Katie Hawkinson.