Impact of Hurricane Beryl on Jamaica: Updates and Preparations

Overview of Hurricane Beryl Impact on Jamaica

After Hurricane Beryl veered away from Jamaica late on Wednesday, local authorities lifted the hurricane warning but maintained a flash flood watch. The island had braced for impact following the powerful Category 4 storm, which had already claimed seven lives and caused extensive damage in the southeastern Caribbean. The death toll has tragically increased to at least eight, with one more fatality reported in Jamaica.

Current Status of Hurricane Beryl

As of late Wednesday, the center of the storm was approximately 161 km west of Kingston, with its core moving towards the Cayman Islands, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Preparations in Kingston

Residents in Kingston took precautionary measures such as boarding up windows, securing boats, and removing outdoor advertising boards to mitigate potential damage from the strong winds. Pauline Lynch, a resident of Kingston, shared her preparations, saying, “I have stocked up on food and water in anticipation of the storm. I can only hope and pray for the safety of all Jamaicans, wishing to avoid any casualties or losses.”

Continued Alerts

While the hurricane warning was lifted in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac were still under the warning zone. Beryl is forecasted to weaken slightly in the next couple of days but is expected to maintain major hurricane strength as it moves towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Friday.