Hurricane Beryl has weakened to a Category 3 storm on Thursday, but not before leaving flooding and widespread damage on the island of Jamaica late Wednesday.
Beryl’s center passed just 45 miles south of Kingston, Jamaica, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph.
Beryl was the first major hurricane — at least a Category 3 — to pass this close to Jamaica since 2007.
Floodwaters pour onto the street as Hurricane Beryl passes through the area on July 3, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean.
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Sea waves break as Hurricane Beryl approaches, as seen from the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica, July 3, 2024.
Marco Bello/Reuters
By Thursday morning, Beryl had weakened to Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph, as it approaches the Cayman Islands.
The hurricane should pass just south of the Cayman Islands Thursday morning, bringing hurricane-force winds and storm surge that could produce a water rise of 4 to 6 feet as well as half a foot of rain.
Hurricane Beryl has weakened to a Category 3 as it charts a path toward landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula.
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The next landfall for Beryl will likely be on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where major resorts such as Cancun, Playa De Carmen and Tulum are under hurricane warnings.
Beryl could be a Category 1 hurricane as it reaches the Mexican resorts early Friday morning with wind gusts near 74 to 85 mph, storm surge up to 3 feet and up to 8 inches of rain.
By Friday evening, Beryl should cross into the southern Gulf of Mexico and weaken into a tropical storm.
As Beryl moves over the Gulf, in the direction of U.S.-Mexico border, it could re-intensify back into a hurricane, with winds near 75 mph ahead of landfall. Right now, it’s too soon to tell exactly where it will make landfall along the Gulf Coast, with models predicting anywhere from northeastern Mexico to Texas’ Gulf Coast.
Moving past Jamaica, Beryl could make another landfall near the Mexico-U.S. border after crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.
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Regardless of Beryl’s strength, it is expected to bring heavy rain to southern Texas.
In addition, the prolonged period of onshore winds along the U.S. Gulf Coast could create rough beach conditions, including a risk for rip currents this holiday weekend.
Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, has caused extensive damage in Jamaica and is now posing a threat to Mexico and Texas. The storm made landfall in Jamaica on Monday, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and flooding to the island nation. The damage caused by Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica is still being assessed, but reports indicate that homes have been destroyed, roads washed out, and power lines downed.
The storm is now moving towards Mexico and Texas, where residents are bracing for its impact. Mexican authorities have issued warnings for several states along the Gulf Coast, urging residents to prepare for heavy rains and potential flooding. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in several counties in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.
Hurricane Beryl is a reminder of the destructive power of these natural disasters and the importance of being prepared. Residents in the path of the storm should take precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones. This includes securing loose objects, stocking up on emergency supplies, and following evacuation orders if necessary.
In addition to the immediate impact on residents, Hurricane Beryl also has the potential to cause long-term damage to infrastructure and the economy. The cost of rebuilding after a major storm can be staggering, and it often takes years for communities to fully recover.
As climate change continues to fuel more frequent and intense hurricanes, it is crucial that governments and individuals take action to mitigate the effects of these storms. This includes investing in infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, implementing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting communities in their efforts to adapt to a changing climate.
As Hurricane Beryl continues on its path of destruction, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures to protect ourselves and our planet from the devastating effects of climate change. It is up to all of us to work together to build a more resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.
