Hurricane Beryl Threatens Caribbean Islands with Flooding and Strong Winds

Hurricane Beryl intensified as it approached the Leeward Caribbean islands, with officials warning of potentially devastating flooding, storm surges, and life-threatening strong winds. People in the region prepared by securing their businesses, stocking up on food, and filling their cars with gasoline. The U.S. National Hurricane Center urged residents to follow evacuation orders and instructions from authorities as the storm made landfall.

Beryl’s rapid development marked an unusual and early start to the Atlantic hurricane season, becoming the earliest Category 4 storm ever recorded. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines anticipated a natural disaster that could last for several days as the storm approached. Hurricane warnings were issued for Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Tobago, with tropical storm warnings and gale warnings for other islands in the region.

The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is expected to pass through the central Caribbean and potentially cause catastrophic wind damage in the Leeward Islands. Tobago has opened emergency shelters, closed schools, and canceled elective hospital operations in preparation for the storm. Predicted above-average hurricane activity for the Atlantic region in 2024 was attributed to record-breaking sea temperatures.

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