The National Hurricane Center issued a warning on Sunday night that Hurricane Beryl, classified as a Category 4 storm, was rapidly approaching the Windward Islands in the southeast Caribbean. The storm is considered “extremely dangerous,” and forecasters have predicted that it will bring perilous winds and storm surge to the area early Monday. This marks the first major hurricane of the Atlantic season and is expected to pose a significant threat to the Windward Islands.
At 11 p.m. ET, Beryl had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and was moving west at 20 mph. It was situated approximately 150 miles southeast of Barbados.
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Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago are currently under hurricane warnings. Martinique, on the other hand, is under tropical storm warnings while Dominica and Trinidad are under tropical storm watch.
The National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, has issued a warning about the potentially dire situation that is unfolding for the Windward Islands. According to the center, Beryl is expected to bring with it life-threatening winds and storm surges, making it an extremely dangerous hurricane.
On Monday, Hurricane Beryl is set to make its way through the Windward Islands as a Category 4 storm, posing an “extremely dangerous” threat. It is then expected to continue its path through the southeastern Caribbean on Monday night and Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center reported that two hurricane hunters were on their way to the storm to gather further information about its intensity.
Historic hurricane
According to hurricane expert Sam Lillo, Beryl achieved a remarkable feat by strengthening from a tropical depression to a major hurricane in just 42 hours. This has only been accomplished six other times in Atlantic hurricane history, and it is worth noting that it happened as early as September 1.
According to Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist and storm surge expert, Beryl has become just the third Category 3 hurricane to be documented in the Atlantic during the month of June. The other two were Audrey in 1957 and Alma in 1966.
During a phone interview with the Associated Press, he stated that Beryl is an exceptionally dangerous and rare hurricane for this region at this time of year. He further added that calling it unusual would be an understatement as it is already a historic hurricane despite not having made landfall yet.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada as a Category 3 storm, making it the strongest hurricane to hit the southeast Caribbean in recent history.
Lowry expressed serious concern about Beryl, stating that it poses a significant threat.
The Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, has already seen its second named storm, Beryl. This season is expected to be a busy one. Recently, Tropical Storm Alberto caused severe flooding in parts of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, leading to at least four fatalities in the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon and Veracruz.
David Parkinson, a weather producer at CBS News, notes that Beryl has formed farther east in June than any other hurricane on record, except for one in 1933. He predicts that Beryl will likely stay south of Jamaica and that any potential effects on the United States are still approximately eight days away.
According to Brian McNoldy, a tropical meteorology researcher at the University of Miami, Beryl is being fueled by warm waters. The ocean heat content in the deep Atlantic is at its highest level on record for this time of year.
According to forecasters, Beryl’s landfall could result in a storm surge of up to 9 feet, which poses a serious threat to life. Additionally, Barbados and nearby islands may experience up to 6 inches of rainfall.
Bracing for the storm
As Hurricane Isaias upgraded from a tropical storm with 35 mph winds to a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday, people in Barbados and neighboring islands quickly realized the severity of the situation. This resulted in long queues at gas stations and grocery stores as individuals hurried to prepare for the imminent storm.
In a public address on Friday, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized the importance of being prepared. “Planning for the worst and hoping for the best is the way to go in times like these,” she said.
On Saturday, the capital of Bridgetown was buzzing with excitement as thousands of people gathered to witness the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final. India emerged victorious over South Africa in what is widely regarded as cricket’s most significant event. This win marks a momentous occasion that will be remembered by cricket fans around the world.
In a public address on Saturday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced that shelters would be available from Sunday evening and urged citizens to make necessary preparations. He also directed officials to refuel government vehicles and requested grocery stores and gas stations to extend their operating hours before the storm hits.
Gonsalves urged everyone to take the hurricane seriously and make necessary preparations as it is a severe one. “This hurricane is terrible,” he added.
As Beryl approached, Caribbean leaders geared up for not just the hurricane but also a group of thunderstorms that follow it closely. These thunderstorms have a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression.
Mottley emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and not becoming complacent. “It’s crucial that we don’t lower our guard,” she stated firmly.
It’s not common for a hurricane to form before early to mid-August, as stated by the National Hurricane Center. This makes Hurricane Beryl stand out for having already reached hurricane strength. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a report last month, predicting an “above average” hurricane season. They forecasted that there could be 17 to 25 storms, 8 to 13 hurricanes, and 4 to 7 major hurricanes of category 3 or higher. On average, an Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
When it comes to weather patterns, it’s important to understand the differences between a tropical storm and a hurricane. A tropical storm typically has sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph, whereas a hurricane is classified by sustained winds greater than 74 mph.
