KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Cayman Islands are now feeling the fury of deadly Hurricane Beryl after the monster storm brought destructive winds and life-threatening storm surge flooding to Jamaica, and now millions living on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, including popular tourist destinations Cancun and Cozumel, are bracing for impact.
Jamaica and the Cayman Islands were the latest communities to be impacted by the historic storm since it made landfall in the southern Windward Islands on Monday, where it caused significant damage and led to the deaths of at least 11 people across the region.
1 dead in Jamaica, hundreds evacuate to shelters ahead of Hurricane Beryl
According to a report from Reuters, a woman in Jamaica’s Hanover parish died after a tree fell onto her home.
Hundreds of people living in Jamaica fled their homes and foundsafetyinside one of the numerous shelters that had opened up ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s arrival on Wednesday.
While speaking to the media, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced close to 500 people were in shelters and confirmed that sufficient supplies and resources were available.
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In addition, more than 100 people were evacuated fromflood-prone areas in communities such as Old Harbour Bay and St. Catherine.
Officials said there was a coordinated effort to get those residents to shelter, and sounded an emergency siren to warn those in the area of the danger.
According to a post from Jamaica Information Service, Old Harbour Bay is a fishing community and has an early warning system that sends messages from emergency officials to those in vulnerable areas.
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Hurricane Beryl is responsible for knocking down numerous trees and power lines that blocked roads and knocked out power across the island, but there is so far no word on any extreme damage reports.
Jamaica is no longer under aHurricane Warningand the weather should begin to improve as the day continues, and a new curfew that went into effect on Wednesday night was lifted at 6 a.m. Thursday.
Cayman Islands issues stay-in-place order ahead of Hurricane Beryl
The Cayman Islands were placed under a Hurricane Warning on Wednesday, and the effects of Hurricane Beryl started to impact the region as the day continued.
“Firstly, I extend my prayers and thoughts to our regional neighbors who have already been impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” Cayman Islands Premier Julianna O’Connor-Connollysaid in a statement. “From what we have seen thus far, vigilance and preparedness are critical to preventing extensive damage to property,infrastructureand most importantly, loss of life.”
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O’Connor-Connolly had urged residents to use the remaining time before Hurricane Beryl to ensure property was secured, yards were free of potential projectiles, and to make sure food and medication were stocked.
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) was opened Wednesday morning, and the Cayman Islands Regiment gathered and deployed later in the day after receiving official orders.
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A stay-in-place order was also issued for the Cayman Islands, and residents were asked to remain indoors starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday until an official all-clear is given.
“Unnecessary travel could cause additional emergencies during this period of heightened response,”officials said on Wednesday.“With this in mind, persons who are choosing to take shelter away from home should do so before nightfall to ensure that they are within a secured location before weather conditions begin to deteriorate.”
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Shelters were opened in stages across all three islands.According to a Facebook post, shelters are operating on a first-come, first-served basis, and priority was given to the vulnerable – elderly, disabled and families with young children.
Hurricane Beryl heads towards Yucatán Peninsula
The current forecast track of Hurricane Beryl moving into the Yucatán Peninsula on Friday.
Beryl is then expected to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico Friday night and turn northwestward.
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At least 11 dead after Hurricane Beryl slams islands
Days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Windward Islands, the reality of the destruction and devastation set in.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said in an address to the nation on Monday night that Hurricane Beryl “devastated” Union Island, and 90% of the homes on the island have been severely damaged or destroyed.
The airport also suffered major damage, with Gonsalves saying the facility’s roof was ripped off during the storm’s catastrophic winds.
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In addition, at least four people were killed, and Gonsalves warned the death toll could rise as more information is received.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, reported the situation is grim, with buildings destroyed and roads impassable due to downed power lines. Mitchell added that government officials from the nearby island of Carriacou reported at least two deaths and that “the possibility that there will be more fatalities remains a grim reality.”
According to reports, one person was killed in Grenada, and three were killed in Venezuela.
Barbados also suffered the effects of Hurricane Beryl, but efforts to clear streets of debris and restore services began almost immediately after the storm passed.
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Significant damage was reported to boats at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex due to the storm surge flooding caused by Hurricane Beryl.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley toured the damage on Monday and said she would work to support those impacted by the damage to the region.
She also said all government departments, except for schools, opened on Tuesday following Hurricane Beryl’s passage.
According to officials, the Port of Bridgetown reopened for business on Tuesday morning, and flights would start to resume atGrantley Adams International Airport.
Crews have also been busy restoring water to affected residents. In an update,the Barbados Water Authority (BWS) saidthat production capacity reached 85% around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“While all pumps were secured due to the temporary shutdown and are in good working order, the Authority did sustain minor damage to some equipment as a result of the weather,” the BWA said in a statement.
Water tankers will continue to deliver water to those in an area without service.
