Hurricane Beryl Hits the Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, is making its way toward Jamaica after causing devastation in the southeast Caribbean. The storm has claimed the lives of at least six people as it continues on its path.
Forecast and Preparations
A hurricane warning has been issued for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. Beryl, while losing some intensity, is expected to maintain major-hurricane strength as it approaches Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Haiti and the Yucatan’s east coast are under a hurricane watch, while Belize has issued a tropical storm watch.
Threat to Jamaica
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has urged Jamaicans to take the hurricane threat seriously and prepare for possible evacuation. The National Hurricane Center has warned of life-threatening winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall in Jamaica. Fishermen pull a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl back to the dock at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, Monday, July 1, 2024.
Impact on the Caribbean
As Beryl moves through the Caribbean, rescue crews are assessing the damage caused by the storm in several islands. Grenada, Carriacou, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines have already reported fatalities and significant destruction. Sylvia Small waits for police approval to check her boat’s damages at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, July 1, 2024.
Rebuilding Efforts
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describes the situation as grim, with widespread destruction of homes and buildings on the islands. Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, promises to rebuild the affected areas despite the extensive damage. Sharon DeRoche, an evacuee from Union Island, shares her harrowing experience during the storm.
Climate Crisis
Simon Stiell, U.N. Climate Change Executive Secretary, highlights the impact of the climate crisis on vulnerable communities like Carriacou. He emphasizes the urgent need for global action to address the worsening effects of climate change. Beryl damaged the home of Stiell’s late grandmother, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Read More of this Story at apnews.com – 2024-07-03 03:31:00
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