MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, June 30, 2024 - Hurricane Beryl is posing a significant threat to Barbados and the Windward Islands, with hurricane warnings issued for Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Martinique and Tobago are under tropical storm warnings, while Dominica faces a tropical storm watch.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center warns of "life-threatening winds and storm surge" for the Windward Islands, potentially beginning Sunday night.
Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has urged residents to prepare, stating, "We need to be ready. You and I know when these things happen, it is better to plan for the worst and pray for the best."
As Beryl moves westward, it could potentially affect the Western Caribbean in the coming days. While current forecasts suggest the hurricane may remain south of Jamaica, the situation is being closely monitored.
The US National Hurricane Center has just stated in the 4 AM update that Hurricane Beryl has strengthened to a Category 2, packing winds of 100 mph. The track has shifted slightly northward, too. Her eye is starting to clear out. She might just be a Category 4 by 10 AM.
Any potential impacts on the United States are still at least eight days away, according to CBS News weather producer David Parkinson.
Beryl's rapid intensification and unusual eastward formation have surprised meteorologists. Florida-based hurricane expert Michael Lowry noted, "It's astonishing to see a forecast for a major hurricane in June anywhere in the Atlantic, let alone this far east in the deep tropics."
The storm is being fueled by record-warm waters in the deep Atlantic for this time of year.
As the second named storm of the 2024 hurricane season, Beryl's development underscores the importance of preparedness for all Caribbean nations and coastal areas in the storm's potential path.
Residents and visitors in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about the storm's progress and follow local authorities' instructions.
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