This satellite imagery obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Beryl approaching Jamaica at 12:40 GMT on July 3, 2024. (Photo: AFP)
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hurricane Beryl continues to rage through the Caribbean Sea, with devastating hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge and destructive waves expected to hit parts of Jamaica starting Wednesday afternoon.
This is according to the National Hurricane Center.
The center warned that heavy rains were expected to cause life-threatening flash flooding and landslides across much of the island, and winds were expected to reach tropical storm strength in the coming hours, making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous.
The latest bulletin from the Met Service added that coastal areas of the island could experience dangerous storm surges, with water levels rising by 2 to 3 metres (6 to 9 feet) and crashing waves.
According to its forecast track, the center of Hurricane Beryl is expected to pass from east to west near or over the southern coast of the island between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
The weather bureau noted that Beryl’s outer bands are already affecting parts of Jamaica, and said rainfall associated with the hurricane’s centre should affect the eastern end of the island within the next few hours.
Rainfall totals of 100 to 200 millimeters (4 to 8 inches) are expected in most areas during this period, with more expected in higher elevations.
A hurricane warning remains in effect.
As of 7 a.m., the eye of Hurricane Beryl was located near 16.9 degrees north latitude and 75.3 degrees west longitude, about 145 kilometers (90 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point and about 200 kilometers (125 miles) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, according to the weather service.
The Met Office said Beryl was moving west-northwest at about 31 kph (20 mph) and was expected to continue in this direction into Wednesday before turning more westerly later in the day or on Thursday.
It added that maximum sustained winds had decreased slightly to closer to 230 kph (145 mph) with increasing gusts.
The weather bureau said it expected the storm to weaken over the next day or two, but that Beryl was expected to reach Jamaica late Wednesday and reach major hurricane strength or near it by the time it reached the Cayman Islands by early Thursday.
