Hurricane Beryl approaches Jamaica after killing 7 people in southeast Caribbean

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) – Heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Beryl pounded the coast of Jamaica on Wednesday after the powerful storm devastated parts of the southeast Caribbean, where it left a trail of death and destruction.

At least seven deaths have been attributed to the powerful storm: three in the Grenada islands, three in Venezuela and one in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

It is the earliest Atlantic hurricane on record to reach Category 5 strength, meaning it has sustained winds stronger than 156 miles (251 kilometers) per hour, the highest marker on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.

Videos shared on social media showed destroyed homes and damaged police stations, schools, hospitals and streets.

​​Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said that “within half an hour” Grenada’s Carriacou island, which is home to around 9,000 people, “was devastated.”

“We have had virtually no communication with Carriacou for 12 hours,” Mitchell said, confirming that there will probably be an increase in the number of deaths.

Authorities reported that 98% of the buildings on the island are damaged.

Beryl now threatens Jamaica, where it is expected to make landfall in the next few hours as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 145 miles (233 kilometers) per hour. It will also reach the Cayman Islands and then enter the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

“Beryl is expected to cause life-threatening winds and storm surge in Jamaica on Wednesday, and in the Cayman Islands on Wednesday night and Thursday,” reported the NHC.

The World Meteorological Organization said that never before has a hurricane of such magnitude been recorded in the Atlantic at this time of year. Experts say its rapid intensification and devastating effects are consequences of the warming of the oceans caused by climate change.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this year, the Atlantic will have a well above average hurricane season, with the possibility of up to 13 hurricanes.

The Caribbean community began Wednesday to coordinate shipments of essential supplies to member countries affected by Beryl.