July 2, 2024
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Category 5 hurricane Beryl is hurtling through the Caribbean Sea and is forecast to make landfall in southern Jamaica on Wednesday.
Initial forecasts had indicated the centre of the hurricane would pass south of the island, but the official forecast from the National Hurricane Centre now says the centre is expected to make landfall in southern Jamaica by Wednesday.
The strongest winds of a hurricane are in the eye of the storm.
According to CNN, the change in course will increase the impact of severe weather across the island.
Winds were expected to reach tropical storm strength early Wednesday, making outdoor preparations difficult or dangerous, the National Hurricane Center said, adding that in areas with onshore breezes along the Jamaica coast, storm surge could cause water levels to rise by up to five to eight feet above normal tides.
Additionally, the center said Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with up to 12 inches, in Jamaica and the southwestern peninsula of Haiti by late Wednesday.
Even if Beryl doesn’t make landfall in Jamaica, its outer belt will have a major impact.
Beryl is one of the oldest recorded hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
