Hurricane Beryl forces airport closures as it bears down on Jamaica
Harry KembleInternational and domestic airports in Jamaica have been closed as category four storm Hurricane Beryl nears the island on Wednesday (3 July).
On Monday (1 July), Beryl became the earliest storm to develop into a category five hurricane in the Atlantic, with wind speeds peaking at 165mph on Tuesday (2 July) before weakening slightly to a category four hurricane.
Beryl has battered the eastern Caribbean leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, which has so far claimed at least seven lives and prompted the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to issue calls for solidarity.
Almost every home on Union Island in the Grenadines has reportedly been destroyed or badly damaged, and while the main island of Grenada was largely spared, its smaller satellite islands – Carriacou and Petite Martinique – were "flattened" according to prime minister Dickon Mitchell.
The Foreign Office has issued an advisory to Brits in Jamaica, warning: “Weather projections forecast a major hurricane to hit Jamaica, possible as early as the morning of Wednesday 3 July. International and domestic airports are closed from 10pm (local time) on 2 July, and will only reopen when assessed safe to do so.”
Brits on the island have been advised to monitor local and international weather updates and follow any advice from local authorities.
The FCDO also changed its advice for Brits travelling to the Cayman Islands. “A major hurricane is currently moving through the Caribbean, which may impact services in the Cayman Islands,” it said.
“Weather projections forecast Cayman Islands will be affected by hurricane conditions between Wednesday 3 July and Friday 5 July.”
Barbados said there had been some damage to its Bridgetown Port cruise terminal but that this was “minimal”. It added: “The focus is on removal of marine debris,” with clean-up crews working around the clock.
Dominica said its airport was open for operations with airlines resuming normal flight schedules.
’We are resilient people’
CHTA president Nicola Madden-Greig assured local communities the trade association was committed to relief efforts, saying: “We will be working in collaboration with our national hotel and tourism associations in Grenada and Saint Vincent to provide necessary support and aid to the local communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
“Traveling to the Caribbean not only helps our tourism industry but also contributes to the recovery of the affected areas. We may be knocked down in some areas, but we are resilient people, and we will be back before long."
Hurricane #Beryl has weakened slightly, but is still expected to be a strong hurricane when it reaches #Jamaica in about 20 hours time. pic.twitter.com/puVG8rCQha
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms)Hurricane #Beryl has weakened slightly, but is still expected to be a strong hurricane when it reaches #Jamaica in about 20 hours time. pic.twitter.com/puVG8rCQha
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) July 2, 2024
CTO chairman Kenneth Bryan added: “Even as we protect life and property here in the western Caribbean, we stand in solidarity with the people of Saint Vincent and the islands of the Grenadines who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
"Their pain is our pain, and their struggles are felt across our entire region.”
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