Hurricane Beryl struck Union Island, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, overnight, leaving nearly everyone homeless. Grenada also faces devastation and communication systems are down after Beryl made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. Jamaica is preparing for Beryl's approach, with residents urged to evacuate vulnerable areas.

Kingston

The Caribbean is bracing for Category 4 Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, recently struck Union Island, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, leaving almost all residents homeless. Nearly 90% of homes on the island have been severely damaged or destroyed, with widespread devastation also reported in Grenada. The storm has caused significant disruptions, including major power outages and downed communication systems.

The hurricane initially made landfall with winds reaching at least 250 kilometers per hour, a force that at one point reached Category 5 status. Meteorologists attribute this early and intense storm to record-breaking heat in the North Atlantic, linked to global warming. Scientists predict that this hurricane season could be more severe than usual due to these conditions.

As Beryl moves towards Jamaica, emergency preparations are underway. Residents in low-lying areas, flood-prone regions, and near rivers or gullies have been strongly advised to evacuate to safer locations. The situation remains critical as the island braces for the storm's impact.



Hurricane Beryl churns toward Jamaica as Category 4

The barrel hit in the middle of the night and left nearly everyone on Union Island homeless. This is what's left of the tiny island, just nine square kilometers large, part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Residents did what they could to survive, as homes were torn apart and windows broke around them. They said the pressure was so intense they could feel it in their ears. Hardly anything's been left standing. 90% of the houses have been severely damaged, destroyed. There's devastation in Grenada, too. Barrel made landfall Monday as a Category 4 hurricane. Thousands of people are without power and communication systems are down. It is almost Armageddon-like, almost total damage or destruction of all buildings, complete devastation and destruction of agriculture, complete and total destruction of the natural environment. And barrels not done yet. The hurricane's charging towards Jamaica. Emergency preparations are underway. If you live in a low-lying area, an area historically prone to flooding and landslides, or if you live on the banks of a river or a gully, I implore you to evacuate to a shelter or to safer ground. At one point, Barrel reached Category 5 status, with winds of at least 250 kilometers per hour. It's the first time a storm this powerful has hit so early in the season. Meteorologists say it's due to record-breaking heat in the North Atlantic, and scientists say that's all due to global warming. They're warning the season is on track to be much worse than usual. Alexandra Byers, Al Jazeera.

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