Hurricane Beryl Evolves to Category 5, Set to Hit Jamaica After Flattening Islands in the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, swept through open waters Tuesday, heading towards Jamaica after hitting the southeast Caribbean, causing six deaths.

Warnings were issued for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and southern Haiti.

The National Hurricane Center forecasted Beryl to weaken but remain a major hurricane as it neared Jamaica early Wednesday, the Cayman Islands Thursday, and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula Friday.

Previously the earliest Cat 5 Atlantic storm, Beryl was downgraded to Cat 4, according to AP News.

With expected life-threatening winds and storm surges, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents to prepare for possible evacuations.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Beryl was 125 miles southeast of Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic, with winds at 155 mph, moving west-northwest at 22 mph.

National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan stressed Jamaica was in Beryl's direct path, advising residents to seek safe shelter and remain there through Wednesday.

Initial Impacts and Preparations

By 11 PM Monday, Hurricane Beryl's winds intensified to 160 mph, becoming a Cat 5 storm approaching Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

This marked the second July Atlantic hurricane to reach such strength since Hurricane Emily in 2005.

Beryl made landfall around 11 AM Monday on Grenada's Carriacou Island, bringing 150 mph winds, heavy rain, and 6 to 9 feet of storm surge, causing widespread power outages.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves described the storm as severe and warned of worse conditions ahead.

Beryl's eye passed the island chain, heading towards Jamaica, the Miami Herald reports.

By Wednesday, forecasters predicted atmospheric conditions could weaken Beryl to a Category 2 or 3 storm.

Jamaica issued a hurricane watch, while Haiti and the Dominican Republic upgraded their tropical storm watches to warnings.

By 8 PM, Beryl was about 575 miles east-southeast of Isla Beata and 910 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds near 155 mph, maintaining its Category 4 status.

The Jamaican government issued a hurricane warning, expecting tropical storm-force winds within 36 hours.

The southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti remained under tropical storm warnings.

Beryl's Growing Impact and Future Path

Early Monday, hurricane hunter planes observed Beryl in the final stages of an eyewall replacement cycle, which expanded its wind field, increasing storm surge and wind effects in the eastern Caribbean.

By 8 PM, hurricane-force winds extended 40 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds reached 125 miles out.

Initial reports indicated widespread flooding and damage, with no confirmed deaths.

CARICOM chairman and Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali noted significant infrastructure and private property damage.

Residents in Carriacou, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines faced strong Category 4 winds and heavy surf, with Prime Minister Gonsalves reporting severe damage in Grenada.

Record-breaking sea temperatures, driven by climate change, fuel a dangerous hurricane season.

The NOAA has forecast an "extraordinary" season with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.

Beryl, the earliest Cat 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic, highlights the impact of warmer water temperatures on storm intensification.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents to prepare while Haiti's vulnerable population remains at risk, Reuters noted.

Hurricane Beryl, the strongest storm to hit the southeastern Caribbean in 20 years, continues threatening Jamaica and other Caribbean regions with significant rainfall and potential damage.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Beryl heads toward Jamaica as a major hurricane after ripping through the southeast Caribbean - From WFAA