Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin, caused extensive damage across the southern Windward Islands, including Grenada where it made landfall with 150 mph winds. The storm strengthened overnight and is now heading towards Jamaica, prompting warnings in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands. Beryl is expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surge to Jamaica. Despite its potential impacts, there is still uncertainty surrounding its track, with some projections hinting at a possible northwestward turn towards the U.S. Gulf Coast. The storm is forecasted to be downgraded to a tropical storm by Thursday evening. At least one person has been reported dead in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and extensive damage has been reported across the affected islands. The hurricane’s rapid intensification and unexpected development may indicate a busy hurricane season, with as many as 25 named storms possible according to federal forecasters. The Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be extraordinary, with an 85% chance of an above-average year. Residents and visitors in the Cayman Islands, Belize, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Gulf are advised to closely monitor Beryl’s path.
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