Hurricane Beryl leaves a trail of devastation across the Caribbean, including Jamaica. The then category four storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power. The storm also caused significant damage in Mexico, where it made landfall as a category two hurricane, bringing dangerous storm surges and heavy rain.
Countries like St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Venezuela reported multiple deaths as a result of the hurricane, with almost every home on two small islands destroyed. In Jamaica, residents are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, with flooding reported in farmland areas and significant damage to homes.
Jamaican energy provider JPS reported that 65% of its customers were without power after the storm hit. Prime Minister Andrew Holness thanked first responders and essential services for their assistance during this time of crisis.
The UN has released $4 million from its emergency response fund to aid in the recovery efforts in Jamaica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The early intensification and rapid development of Hurricane Beryl, becoming a category five hurricane in just 42 hours, has raised concerns among meteorologists about the impact of warmer sea surface temperatures on hurricane strength.
The forecast predicts Hurricane Beryl could gain strength while moving towards southern Texas, raising concerns about potential further damage in the United States. Residents in affected areas are urged to remain cautious and monitor the storm’s progress closely.
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