July 3rd 2024.
In the past week, a powerful Category 4 hurricane named Beryl wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of at least six people. The storm's path took it through Grenada, Venezuela, and St Lucia, and it is now heading towards Jamaica.
Authorities have issued a hurricane watch for Haiti and the Yucatan, while Belize has issued a tropical storm watch. Beryl is expected to bring with it dangerous winds and storm surges, prompting officials in Jamaica to warn residents in flood-prone areas to prepare for possible evacuation.
In Miami, Michael Brennan, the director of the National Hurricane Centre, expressed concern for Jamaica, stating that the island is directly in the storm's path. He advised people to find a safe place to wait out the storm and to be prepared to stay there until Wednesday.
The impact of Beryl has been devastating. In Santo Domingo, the sea wall was no match for the powerful waves, while Bridgetown in Barbados suffered extensive damage onshore and in the harbour. The Dominican Republic also experienced significant damage, with rescue crews beginning to assess the extent of destruction on Carriacou, an island in Grenada.
Tragically, officials have reported the deaths of three people in Grenada and Carriacou, and one person in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition, two people are missing in northern Venezuela, where heavy rainfall from Beryl has also affected 25,000 people.
Kerryne James, the environment minister, described the situation in Carriacou and Petit Martinique as dire, with numerous homes and businesses flattened by the storm. The prime minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell, expressed the gravity of the situation, with no power, impassable roads, and widespread debris making it difficult for rescue and relief efforts to reach those in need.
In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves reported that 90% of homes on Union Island had been destroyed, and similar levels of devastation were expected on the islands of Myreau and Canouan. This is the strongest hurricane to hit the southeast Caribbean in 20 years, since Hurricane Ivan caused devastation and loss of life in Grenada.
In the face of this disaster, hundreds of people have sought refuge in shelters across the region, including 50 adults and 20 children who took shelter in a school in Grenada. As the storm continues on its destructive path, authorities are urging everyone to stay safe and take precautions to protect themselves and their property.
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