Hurricane Beryl barrels toward Jamaica as category 5 storm after ‘flattening’ Grenada island: Live
Hurricane Beryl is barreling toward Jamaica as a Category 5 storm after devastating areas of Grenada after tearing through buildings and cutting off power.
Beryl, now intensified to the earliest Category 5 storm recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall in the Windward Islands on Monday and is now heading towards Jamaica, who is under a Hurricane Warning, with Cayman Islands also under Hurricane Watch.
The hurricane was located about 695 miles (1,118km) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and 370 miles (595) southeast of Isla Beata of the Dominican Republic, packing maximum sustained winds of 165mph (270km/h), the National Hurricane Centre said.
As the earliest-ever Category 4 and Category 5 hurricane, Beryl brought deadly conditions to the Grenadine Islands, Carriacou Island and Grenada on Monday, killing at least one person.
Officials received “widespread reports of destruction and devastation in Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” Grenada prime minister Dickon Mitchell said.
“In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened.”
Mr Mitchell said he could not provide information on injuries or deaths as of Monday afternoon.
Moving into Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center warns that heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely over much of Jamaica.
Key Points
Hurricane Beryl is now the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic
Mapped: Hurricane Beryl’s path
Hurricane Beryl fueled by warm ocean temperatures amid climate crisis
Hurricane Beryl brings ‘catastrophic’ winds and ‘life-threatening’ conditions to several islands
Hurricane Beryl to move towards Yucatan Peninsula this week
At least one person has died in St Vincent and the Grenadines in wake of Beryl
10:50 , Amelia Neath
At least one death has been reported in St Vincent and the Grenadines after the dangerously strong Hurricane Beryl passed over the region.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced the death on Monday evening, saying that the hurricane had “left in its wake immense destruction, pain, suffering, across our nation at this hour.”
Around 90 per cent of the homes on the nation’s Union Island have been left damaged or destroyed, Gonsalves said.
Hundreds of other homes and buildings, including churches, schools, and government buildings across St. Vincent, have also been left with substantial damage as the hurricane churned over the region.
“Tomorrow, we get up with our commitment and conviction to rebuild our lives and our families’ lives,” Gonsalves said Monday night.
He added that there could be more fatalities, but the government was unsure at that time.
Many communities have been cut-off by their power as a result of the storm, which first responders will be trying to restore along with clearing debris from the roadways once conditions are safe, the Prime Minister said.
White House says President Biden are monitoring Hurricane Beryl
10:31 , Amelia Neath
President Joe Biden and his team say they are closely monitoring the intensified Hurricane Beryl, and are in contact with territory and local officials.
The White House says that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have resources and supplies that are ‘pre-staged’ in the region, with staff and partners ready to assist.
They added that the President stands ready to support the people of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the region as needed, and will work to ensure the safety of all US citizens in the region.
The President is also urging residents to pay attention to the warnings of local officials.
Beryl has sustained winds of 165mph as it strengthened into a Category 5 storm on Monday.
Hurricane Beryl is now the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic
10:03 , Amelia Neath
Hurricane Beryl has now beaten two historic records in the Atlantic as it continued to strengthen with winds sustained over 160mph.
Beryl now becomes the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic after it strengthened late on Monday, the National Hurricane Center has said.
The previous title was held by Hurricane Emily, who reached Category 5 on July 16, 2005.
Beryl was also named the earliest-ever Category 4 hurricane as it approached the eastern Caribbean over the weekend, as well as the only Category 4 in the month of June.
In this category, Beryl beat Hurricane Dennis, which became a Category 4 storm on July 8, 2005.
World Cup-winning Indian cricket team stranded in Barbados as Hurricane Beryl barrels in
10:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Cup 2024 final on Saturday, is stuck in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl.
The Category 4 hurricane passed through Barbados early Monday morning, bringing high winds and storm surge. Officials had evacuated 400 people to hurricane shelters in Barbados Sunday, CNN reports.
The hurricane then made landfall on nearby Carriacou Island late Monday morning, bringing “catastrophic” 150mph winds and “life-threatening storm surge” to the Windward Islands, according to the National Weather Service. The hurricane is approaching Category 5 status as it rages through the eastern Caribbean.
Read more:
Hurricane Beryl strands World Cup-winning Indian cricket team in Barbados
How the hot water that fueled Hurricane Beryl foretells a scary storm season
09:30 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Beryl's explosive growth into an unprecedented early whopper of a storm shows the literal hot water the Atlantic and Caribbean are in right now and the kind of season they can expect, experts said.
“Beryl is unprecedentedly strange,” said Weather Underground co-founder Jeff Masters, a former government hurricane meteorologist who flew into storms. “It is so far outside the climatology that you look at it and you say, ‘How did this happen in June?’”
Read the full story:
How the hot water that fueled Hurricane Beryl foretells a scary storm season
X labelled AccuWeather’s Hurricane Beryl map as misinformation
09:00 , Stuti Mishra
AccuWeather meteorologists say X labeled their projected Hurricane Beryl path as “false information” but allowed other obvious misinformation on the site - a decision that could cost lives.
Read the full story from Katie Hawkinson.
Hurricane Beryl update: AccuWeather says X is allowing misinformation on site
Drone footage shows devastation wrought in Carriacou, Grenada, after Hurricane Beryl
08:30 , Stuti Mishra
Life-threatening Hurricane Beryl seen from space as Jamaica braces for Category 5 impact
08:00 , Stuti Mishra
Life-threatening Hurricane Beryl seen from space as Caribbean braces for impact
Hurricane Beryl beats several records
07:30 , Stuti Mishra
Beryl was named the earliest-ever Category 4 hurricane as it approached the eastern Caribbean over the weekend. Hurricane Beryl is also the first major hurricane to reach east of the Lesser Antilles in June.
Meanwhile, record-high ocean temperatures helped the storm grow from a tropical depression to Category 4 over the weekend.
Hurricane Beryl 'still intensifying' as Jamaica under warning
07:17 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Beryl, a category 5 storm, is "still intensifying", the National Hurricane Centre said in its latest advisory.
The storm is expected to bring "life-threatening winds and storm surge to Jamaica" with the island put under hurricane warning.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding are possible in portions of Jamaica on Wednesday.
A tropical storm warning is also in effect in Hispaniola.
In pictures: Hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc on Bridgetown, Barbados
06:30 , Stuti Mishra
One dead in Grenada as Hurricane Beryl 'flattens' Carriacou
06:00 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Beryl brought deadly conditions to the Grenadine Islands, Carriacou Island and Grenada on Monday, killing at least one person.
Grenada's prime minister Dickon Mitchell said one person had died and he could not yet say if there were other fatalities.
"We do hope there aren't any other fatalities or any injuries," he said. "But bear in mind the challenge we have in Carriacou and Petite Martinique."
Authorities have not yet been able to assess the situation on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, where there were initial reports of major damage but communications were largely down, he said.
Mr Mitchel added that the government will send people first thing on Tuesday morning to evaluate the situation on the islands.
Beryl made landfall in the Windward Islands as a category 4 storm, the earliest storm on record to reach that intensity.
Officials say they received “widespread reports of destruction".
Streets from St. Lucia island south to Grenada were strewn with shoes, trees, downed power lines and other debris.
“In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened," Mr Mitchell said.
Hurricane Beryl intensifies to 'potentially catastrophic' category 5 as it heads towards Jamaica
05:17 , Stuti Mishra
Hurricane Beryl intensified to a category 5 storm after making landfall in the Windward Islands as it churned towards Jamaica.
The hurricane was located about 840miles (1,355km) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, packing maximum sustained winds of 160mph (260km/h), the National Hurricane Centre said.
Beryl is now only the second storm on record to reach the intensity of category 5 in July, after Emily did so in 2005.
The storm is expected to remain a major hurricane as it moves through the Caribbean.
“Fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, but Beryl is expected to still be near major hurricane intensity as it moves into the central Caribbean and passes near Jamaica on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Centre said.
Hurricane #Beryl Advisory 14: Beryl Becomes a Potentially Catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane In the Eastern Caribbean. Expected to Bring Life-Threatening Winds and Storm Surge To Jamaica Later This Week. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 2, 2024
See it: Major airport hit with delays, cancelations during Hurricane Beryl
05:01 , Katie Hawkinson
Flights were delayed and canceled at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago as Hurricane Beryl raged through the eastern Caribbean, leaving travelers stranded on Monday afternoon.
Watch as Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in the southeast Caribbean
04:00 , Katie Hawkinson
See it: Mesovortices spin in the eye of Hurricane Beryl
03:00 , Katie Hawkinson
An extraordinary view of the mesovortices within Hurricane Beryl's eye.
Beryl has made landfall on Carriacou Island with 150 mph winds. pic.twitter.com/WgiQJrEbci— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) July 1, 2024
Computer models show one possible path for Hurricane Beryl hitting US
02:00 , Katie Hawkinson
A computer model of Hurricane Beryl’s many possible paths, known as a “spaghetti” model, shows the destructive Category 4 storm could hit the southeastern US in the coming days.
The model shows the storm potentially blowing into the Gulf Coast, near eastern Texas and Louisiana. However, meteorologists will not be able to make a definitive call about Hurricane Beryl’s potential impact on the US until it is much closer. This could take several days.
Residents in the Gulf Coast region should check with their local National Weather Service office for up-to-date weather information.
Hurricane Beryl ‘even stronger’ as it moves Caribbean
01:31 , Graeme Massie
NOAA hurricane hunters said that the hurricane is moving “quickly across the southeastern Caribbean” in its 8pm EST update on Monday.
Beryl is moving WNW at 21mph, with top speeds of up to 155mph.
Hurricane warning issued for Jamaica as NOAA gives latest details on Beryl
01:11 , Graeme Massie
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica as Beryl continues to barrel across the Caribbean.
The warning came in the 8pm update on the storm.
Watch: Hurricane Beryl brings a storm surge, causing waves to batter southern Barbados
01:00 , Katie Hawkinson
X labeled AccuWeather’s Hurricane Beryl map as misinformation. Meteorologists worry it could cost lives
Tuesday 2 July 2024 00:00 , Katie Hawkinson
AccuWeather meteorologists say X labeled their projected Hurricane Beryl path as “false information” but allowed other obvious misinformation on the site - a decision that could cost lives.
On Thursday, AccuWeather posted a forecast for the eastern Caribbean system that would become Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall on Carriacou Island late Monday morning as a Category 4 storm. “1st hurricane of 2024 may track through the Caribbean next week,” the post said, accompanied by a map charting the storm’s path.
AccuWeather has a team of 100 meteorologists who rely on data from NOAA, NASA, the National Hurricane Center and the World Meteorological Organization to inform their forecasts.
The forecasting company beat every other agency by almost 30 hours with a prediction nearly identical to the National Hurricane Center’s, according to John Porter, senior vice president and chief meteorologist for AccuWeather.
However, X users labeled it with a community note.
Read more:
Hurricane Beryl update: AccuWeather says X is allowing misinformation on site
Hurricane Beryl fueled by warm ocean temperatures amid climate crisis
Monday 1 July 2024 23:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Record-warm ocean temperatures gave Hurricane Beryl the strength to grow from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm in a matter of days.
“Beryl is rewriting the history books in all the wrong ways,” Eric Blake, senior hurricane specialist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said.
While natural weather patterns like La Nina can help drive catastrophic storms, the human-driven climate crisis still plays a role, as oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat produced by greenhouse gases.
High water temperatures can contribute to sea level rise and hurt marine life in addition to fueling strong storms like Hurricane Beryl. Ocean temperatures will likely continue to rise even if we curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to NOAA.
Hurricane Beryl will travel through the Caribbean Sea towards the Yucatan Peninsula this week.
Officials received “widespread reports of destruction and devastation in Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” after the hurricane made landfall on Monday, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said.
“In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened,” Mitchell continued.
Carriacou Island ‘flattened’ by Hurricane Beryl
Monday 1 July 2024 22:27 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Carriacou Island this morning, bringing heavy destruction to the eastern Caribbean.
Officials received “widespread reports of destruction and devastation in Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Monday. “In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened.”
“You have to appreciate the ferocity and the strength of the hurricane and therefore we are not yet out of the woods,” he continued. “And we are not able to say for sure that no one has been injured or there has been no loss of life as a result of the hurricane.”
The Category 4 storm is set to head west this week and could maintain its strength as it travels, the National Weather Service forecasts.
In pictures: Hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc on Bridgetown, Barbados
Monday 1 July 2024 21:37 , Katie Hawkinson
Watch: Hurricane Beryl brings a storm surge, causing waves to batter southern Barbados
Monday 1 July 2024 21:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane warning ends in Barbados
Monday 1 July 2024 20:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Barbados is no longer under a hurricane warning as Beryl moves through the Windward Islands.
The National Weather Service has now placed Jamaica under a hurricane watch, while Martinique and St. Lucia are under tropical storm warnings.
Watch: Hurricane Beryl batters Caribbean homes as Category 4 storm makes landfall
Monday 1 July 2024 20:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Watch: Hurricane Beryl batters Caribbean homes as Category 4 storm makes landfall
Hurricane Beryl beats records over weekend
Monday 1 July 2024 20:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Beryl was named the earliest-ever Category 4 hurricane as it approached the eastern Caribbean over the weekend. Hurricane Beryl is also the first major hurricane to reach this far east in the month of June.
Meanwhile, record-high ocean temperatures helped the storm grow from a tropical depression to Category 4 over the weekend.
The life-threatening storm made landfall on Carriacou Island late Monday morning, bringing 150mph winds as it rages across the Windward Islands.
Beryl “is rewriting the history books in all the wrong ways,” said Eric Blake, senior hurricane specialist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
See it: Major airport hit with delays, cancelations amid Hurricane Beryl
Monday 1 July 2024 19:30 , Katie Hawkinson
Flights are being delayed and canceled at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago as Hurricane Beryl rages through the eastern Caribbean, leaving travelers stranded.
Video: Caribbean braces for record-breaking Hurricane Beryl
Monday 1 July 2024 19:12 , Katie Hawkinson
World Cup-winning Indian cricket team stranded in Barbados as Hurricane Beryl barrels in
Monday 1 July 2024 18:48 , Katie Hawkinson
The Indian men’s cricket team, which celebrated their win at the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday, are stuck in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl.
Read more from The Independent’s Shahana Yasmin:
Hurricane Beryl strands World Cup-winning Indian cricket team in Barbados
Hurricane Beryl fueled by warm ocean temperatures amid climate crisis
Monday 1 July 2024 18:37 , Katie Hawkinson
Record-warm ocean temperatures gave Hurricane Beryl the strength to grow from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm in a matter of days.
“Beryl is rewriting the history books in all the wrong ways,” Eric Blake, senior hurricane specialist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said.
While natural weather patterns like La Nina can help drive catastrophic storms, the human-driven climate crisis still plays a role, as oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat produced by greenhouse gases.
High water temperatures can contribute to sea level rise and hurt marine life in addition to fueling strong storms like Hurricane Beryl. Ocean temperatures will likely continue to rise even if we curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to NOAA.
See it: Mesovortices spin in the eye of Hurricane Beryl
Monday 1 July 2024 18:30 , Katie Hawkinson
An extraordinary view of the mesovortices within Hurricane Beryl's eye.
Beryl has made landfall on Carriacou Island with 150 mph winds. pic.twitter.com/WgiQJrEbci— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) July 1, 2024
Hurricane Beryl approaches threshold for Category 5, meteorologist says
Monday 1 July 2024 18:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl is approaching Category 5 status as it brings 150 mph winds and a storm surge of nine feet to the Windward Islands, meteorologist Matthew Cappucci said.
The storm made landfall on Carriacou Island late Monday morning. Now, Hurricane Beryl is blowing through several islands in the eastern Caribbean, bringing “life-threatening” conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
Right now: Carriacou, Grenada is fully in the eye of #HurricaneBeryl.
They likely just experienced Category 4 winds, with gusts in the 130 to 150 mph range briefly. A storm surge of 4 to 9 feet may have accompanied the storm.
It's teetering on the brink of Category 5 status. pic.twitter.com/T3mrpsLo2X— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) July 1, 2024
Watch: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in the southeast Caribbean
Monday 1 July 2024 18:00 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl to move towards Yucatan Peninsula this week
Monday 1 July 2024 17:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl will move east towards the Yucatan Peninsula over the next several days, National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan said on Monday morning.
The storm has the potential to remain a powerful hurricane as it travels across the Caribbean Sea, Brennan said.
The Windward Islands will face life-threatening conditions from the storm until Monday evening.
SEE IT: Lightning flashes in Hurricane Beryl’s eye wall
Monday 1 July 2024 17:34 , Katie Hawkinson
A remarkable hi-res view of abundant lightning flashes within Hurricane Beryl's eye wall. pic.twitter.com/1XqCLMRQno
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) July 1, 2024
Video: Hurricane Beryl brings storm surge to southern Barbados coast
Monday 1 July 2024 17:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl brought a dangerous storm surge — that is, a rise in sea levels — to the southern Barbados coast on Monday morning.
Barbados’ south coast endures storm surge as #HurricaneBeryl passes, while Tobago, Grenada and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines brace for further impact.
📹 : UNICEFECA/2024 pic.twitter.com/Zx5P522TEK— UNICEF Eastern Caribbean (@UNICEFECA) July 1, 2024
The Category 4 hurricane then made landfall on Carriacou Island late Monday morning, bringing 150 mph sustained winds.
Hurricane Beryl brings ‘catastrophic’ winds and ‘life-threatening’ conditions to several islands
Monday 1 July 2024 16:58 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl is bringing catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge to the Grenadine Islands, Carriacou Island and Grenada, the National Weather Service said.
1200 PM AST Jul 1 Position Update: Extremely dangerous #Beryl is producing catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge in the southern Windward Islands. For the latest information visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ pic.twitter.com/xgMxdNrd5W
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 1, 2024
The storm’s maximum sustained winds increased to 150 mph earlier this morning as it made landfall on Carriacou Island.
In pictures: Hurricane Beryl brings ‘life-threatening’ winds and flooding
Monday 1 July 2024 16:44 , Katie Hawkinson
Satellite imagery shows Hurricane Beryl making landfall
Monday 1 July 2024 16:35 , Katie Hawkinson
Life-threatening Hurricane Beryl seen from space as Caribbean braces for Category 4 impact
Monday 1 July 2024 16:05 , Katie Hawkinson
Life-threatening Hurricane Beryl seen from space as Caribbean braces for impact
Hurricane Beryl beats several records
Monday 1 July 2024 15:52 , Katie Hawkinson
Beryl was named the earliest-ever Category 4 hurricane as it approached the eastern Caribbean over the weekend. Hurricane Beryl is also the first major hurricane to reach this far east in the month of June.
Meanwhile, record-high ocean temperatures helped the storm grow from a tropical depression to Category 4 over the weekend.
The life-threatening storm is expected to make landfall within the next hour.
“Residents in the Grenadine Islands and Carriacou Island should not leave their shelter as winds will rapidly increase within the eyewall of Beryl,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions and do not venture out in the eye of the storm.”
Hurricane Beryl making landfall within next two hours
Monday 1 July 2024 15:36 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl is approaching the Windward Islands and will make landfall within the next hour or two, the National Hurricane Center said.
“This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the National Hurricane Center posted. “Take action now to protect your life!”
Residents of the Grenadine Islands and Carriacou Island should stay inside as winds rapidly increase, according to the center.
Hurricane Beryl fueled by warm ocean temperatures amid climate crisis
Monday 1 July 2024 15:25 , Katie Hawkinson
Record-warm ocean temperatures gave Hurricane Beryl the strength to grow from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm in a matter of days.
“Beryl is rewriting the history books in all the wrong ways,” Eric Blake, senior hurricane specialist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), said.
The human-driven climate crisis plays a role in these rising temperatures. Oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat produced by greenhouse gases, according to NOAA.
High ocean temperatures, in addition to fueling storms like Hurricane Beryl, can contribute to sea level rise and hurt marine life.
Ocean temperatures will likely continue to rise even if we curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to NOAA.
In pictures: Communities brace for Hurricane Beryl
Monday 1 July 2024 15:09 , Katie Hawkinson
Communities in the eastern Caribbean rushed to complete preparations this weekend as Hurricane Beryl grew from a tropical depression to a Category 4 in a few days.
Mapped: Hurricane Beryl’s path
Monday 1 July 2024 14:58 , Katie Hawkinson
Hurricane Beryl, now strengthened to Category 4, is set to bring “potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds, a life-threatening storm surge, and damaging waves” to the Windward Islands this morning.
The hurricane is set to move west throughout the week.
