Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, wreaked havoc in the southeast Caribbean, killing at least six people before moving towards Jamaica. The storm brought fierce winds and heavy rain to the island, knocking out power in much of the capital and forcing nearly 500 people into shelters. Residents boarded up windows and took precautions as the storm approached, with officials warning of life-threatening impacts, including storm surge and flash flooding.
Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, weakened to a still-destructive Category 4 as it passed over Jamaica and headed towards the Cayman Islands and Mexico. The Canadian government issued warnings against travel to several Caribbean nations due to the hurricane threat. Jamaica implemented a curfew and closed its international airports, while Canada repatriated citizens from affected areas.
In the aftermath of the storm, rescue crews assessed the damage in Grenada, Carriacou, and other affected islands. Scores of homes and businesses were flattened, with reports of fatalities and widespread destruction. Prime Minister Mitchell of Grenada described the situation as grim, with no power, impassable roads, and large quantities of debris creating challenges for recovery efforts.
The southeast Caribbean, still reeling from the devastation, faced significant hardships in the storm’s aftermath. With a trail of destruction left in Beryl’s wake, the region grappled with the aftermath of one of the strongest hurricanes to hit in decades.
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