The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, alerting UK nationals that “all airports are shut” following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean. The hurricane, which has claimed at least seven lives, has forced local residents and tourists into shelters as it unleashed powerful winds across the islands.
Describing the situation as “almost Armageddon-like,” Grenada’s prime minister reported extensive damage on Carriacou island, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ leader referred to Union Island’s condition as “a devastating spectacle.”
As Beryl’s eyewall grazed Jamaica’s south coast, the US National Hurricane Centre confirmed the intense rainfall and urged residents to remain in shelters. The storm’s force led to widespread power outages, particularly in the capital.
In light of these events, the Foreign Office advised: “A major hurricane is passing Jamaica on 3 July. Disruption to services is expected island-wide. International and domestic airports are now closed and will only reopen when assessed safe to do so. You should follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities including any evacuation orders. See Extreme weather and natural disasters.”
Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described the situation as dire, stating: “Almost total damage or destruction of all buildings, whether they be public buildings, homes or other private facilities. Complete devastation and destruction of agriculture. Complete and total destruction of the natural environment. There is literally no vegetation left anywhere on the island of Carriacou.”, reports the Express.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness provided an update on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that nearly 500 people had been placed in shelters. By evening, he tempered expectations by saying that Jamaica has not seen the “worst of what could possibly happen”.
“We can do as much as we can do, as humanly possible, and we leave the rest in the hands of God,” Mr Holness commented. He also reported that several roadways in the country’s interior settlements were affected by fallen trees and utility poles, while some communities in the northern section were experiencing power outages, as per the government’s information service.
In light of the impending threat from Beryl, Jamaica was put under a state of emergency, with the island being declared a disaster zone hours before the storm’s impact. Mr Holness announced that the disaster zone declaration would stay in effect for the next seven days.
An evacuation order was issued for Jamaican communities at risk of flooding and landslides. Mr Holness called on residents to evacuate from low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, in Miami, hurricane centre director Michael Brennan briefed online, advising islanders to remain sheltered throughout Wednesday, with conditions expected to start improving overnight.
The southern coast of Jamaica, home to Kingston, is bracing for the worst of Beryl with coastal water levels predicted to surge between six and nine feet (1.8 to 2.7 metres) above normal tide levels in certain areas.
Torrential downpours ranging from four to eight inches, and even up to a foot in some isolated regions, pose a serious risk of flash floods and mudslides on the hilly island.