Jamaica Escapes Worst Of Hurricane Beryl: Cayman Islands Brace

The Cayman Islands are bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 3, after Jamaica escaped the worst of the powerful early-season storm.

Jamaica was spared a direct hit, as Beryl passed just south of the island, but it was still hit with pounding rain, high winds and storm surge.

After imposing a curfew overnight on Wednesday, the Jamaican government has discontinued its Hurricane Warning as Beryl moves away. The government says rainfall and flash-flooding still pose a risk.

Hurricane season could be busy in 2024. (Photo Credit: ronniechua/Adobe Stock)

The storm’s eye is approaching the Cayman Islands this morning, before continuing on a path toward Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Beryl has killed at least eight people after quickly intensifying to the earliest Category 5 storm recorded in the Atlantic.

Worst hit was Grenada – specifically the small islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique — where Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described “unimaginable destruction” after the storm passed through Monday. The government says 98% of buildings had been damaged or destroyed.

Beryl is expected to weaken as the week goes on, but the U.S National Weather Service says it still has the potential to hit parts of southern Texas and Louisiana over the weekend.

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