Amid urgent warnings from meteorologists and government officials, Hurricane Beryl has intensified into a menacing Category 3 storm and is forecast to potentially escalate to Category 4 as it barrels towards the southeast Caribbean. The hurricane, described as “historic” for its rare strength and timing, poses significant dangers to islands in its path.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Beryl’s center is expected to pass dangerously close to Barbados. Sabu Best, director of Barbados’ meteorological service, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the potential for life-threatening winds and storm surge.
According to Philip Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, Beryl’s development into a Category 3 storm marks a record as the earliest major hurricane in the eastern Lesser Antilles in June. The last comparable hurricane to strike the region was Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which caused catastrophic damage in Grenada.
The storm’s rapid intensification from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane within a day has caught many off guard, prompting long queues at gas stations and grocery stores across the affected islands as residents rush to prepare. Warm ocean waters have fueled Beryl’s strength, with experts noting record-high temperatures in the deep Atlantic for this time of year.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley issued a stern warning, urging residents and visitors alike to take precautions and seek shelter. Plans are in place to accommodate those unable to leave the island, including attendees of the Twenty20 World Cup final held on Saturday.
“We have to remain vigilant,” Prime Minister Mottley stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need to protect lives. She emphasized the closure of businesses and the impending shutdown of the airport to ensure safety.
As Beryl continues on its westward path towards the Caribbean Sea, forecasters are predicting potentially devastating storm surges of up to 9 feet and heavy rainfall that could lead to significant flooding. The storm’s impact is expected to be felt across multiple islands, necessitating coordinated efforts to mitigate its effects.
Sources By Agencies
