Hurricane Beryl slams into Jamaica with destructive winds and ‘life-threatening’ storm surge: Live updates

Officials in Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica are working to evacuate unhoused people to shelters on Wednesday morning, Mayor Andrew Swaby told the Jamaican Observer.

Their efforts have so far been successful, Swaby said.

“Right here where I am, we have 32 males that have been here…They have gotten a chance to have a bath and we have given them some clothes and they are awaiting some food now,” he told the outlet.

High winds have already knocked down power lines in Portland, the Jamaica Observer reports. Officials have declared Jamaica a disaster area and imposed a curfew for Wednesday. There are more than 900 shelters across the nation and an evacuation process for those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon said on Wednesday morning.

The eye of Hurricane Beryl is now approaching Jamaica, the National Weather Service said moments ago.

The eye of the Category 4 storm will move toward the Cayman Islands, where it will bring life-threatening storm conditions this evening into Thursday morning.

Relief organizations are preparing to send disaster aid to nations throughout the Caribbean Sea in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

The Category 4 hurricane “presents major logistical challenges,” according to Cora Nally, director of international emergency response for the non-profit aid organization Americares.

“It’s going to take a lot of coordination between relief organizations and local partners and governments to ensure aid reaches those most in need,” Nally said in a statement. “Based on our past experience with similar storms, we can anticipate survivors will need assistance with mental health support and replacing medications lost in the storm.”

Sophie Powell, chief of advocacy for the United Kingdom-based non-profit Christian Aid, highlighted the role the climate crisis has played in Hurricane Beryl’s devastation.

“The people picking through the wreckage of such a devastating storm have done nothing to cause the climate crisis,” Powell said in a statement. “The carbon emissions of these small, low-lying islands are miniscule yet the consequences to their lives of climate breakdown are vast.

High water temperatures can contribute to sea level rise and hurt marine life in addition to fueling strong storms like Hurricane Beryl. Ocean temperatures will likely continue to rise even if we curb greenhouse gas emissions, according to NOAA.

Island nations are at the front lines of the climate crisis, given their vulnerability to violent storms and sea-level rise.

“These are the people that desperately need loss and damage finance to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods,” Powell continued. “You cannot simply adapt to a category 5 hurricane destroying your home or killing your family.

Hurricane Beryl devastated Barbados after barreling through the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said.

“While Barbados was spared the worst of Hurricane Beryl, the damage left is still staggering,” Mottley wrote on X.

“Today, I toured some of the most affected areas to assess the damage, engage with those most affected and also chart the course forward for how we build back stronger and more resilient,” she continued.

Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will see similar devastating impacts on Wednesday as Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm with 145mph winds, continues on its path through the Caribbean Sea.

High winds from Hurricane Beryl have already knocked down power lines in Portland, the Jamaica Observer reports. A downed power line in the town of Anchovy has also created low voltage in a home, according to the outlet.

Officials have declared Jamaica a disaster area and imposed a curfew for Wednesday.

There are more than 900 shelters across Jamaica and an evacuation process for those in flood-prone and low-lying areas, Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon said on Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning for the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun.

Hurricane Beryl, currently a Category 4 storm with 145mph winds, is expected to hit the peninsula on Thursday after sweeping through the Cayman Islands.

The hurricane is currently off the coast of Jamaica, where residents are bracing for life-threatening rain and storm surge.