HHurricane Beryl was upgraded to Category 5 intensity, marking the first storm of this strength to form in the Atlantic Ocean.
Beryl, which on Saturday became the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, has since downed power lines, damaged buildings and flooded streets on several southeastern Caribbean islands. Affected nations include Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.
“Within half an hour, Carriacou was leveled,” said Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said on Monday. Grenada’s national disaster coordinator, Terence Walter, said he had received “reports of devastation” from residents of Carriacou and neighboring islands. Grenada’s state of emergency has been extended until July 7, CNN reportedas 95% of the island was left without power.
At least one person has died in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said on Monday. “There could very well be more deaths,” he said during a national address. Parts of the country are left without electricity and water, while about 90% of homes on Union Island are partially or completely damaged.
The hurricane is currently heading towards Jamaica with maximum sustained winds of 165 miles per hour. A hurricane warning is in effect in Jamaica and authorities have activated natural disaster response protocols.
On Sunday, the hurricane became the first major Atlantic hurricane in 58 years, as well as the only hurricane in June to reach Category 4 intensity. Experts say the chart-topping hurricane that forms so early in the season — which will from June to November – is due to the increase in ocean temperatures related to climate change.
“Ocean heat is what we would expect in early September, the time of year when heat in the major developing tropical region of the North Atlantic is approaching its annual maximum,” said Christopher Rozoff, an atmospheric scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. in Colorado. says TIME. “Warm sea surface temperatures contribute to providing the lower atmosphere with the heat and moisture that fuel tropical storm systems.”
Beryl surpassed the record set by deadly Hurricane Dennis, which brought the first Category 4 storm of a season on July 8, 2005. The same year also saw Atlantic hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Beryl is also the strongest hurricane to pass through the southernmost Windward Islands, the site of intense storms in the past, including Hurricane Janet, which hit Grenada with winds of 185 mph in 1955 and killed 147 people. according to to the University of the West Indies. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan reached wind speeds of 135 mph, killing 41 people in Grenada.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has estimated between 17 to 25 storms this season, eight to 13 are expected to be hurricanes and four to seven “major hurricanes,” which are categorized by winds of at least 111 mph.
Although Beryl may weaken throughout this week, it is expected to remain at least a Category 3 storm as it continues on its westward path. The hurricane is expected to pass through Jamaica on Wednesday before reaching Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti will also feel the effects of Beryl, but will be further from the eye of the storm.
“After Wednesday, the intensity forecast becomes much more uncertain,” says Rozoff. “Right now, the National Hurricane Center is showing gradual weakening throughout the week, but people in the path should remain alert to forecast uncertainty and all watches and warnings.”
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
