Hurricane Beryl Surges with Record 165 mph Winds as Category 5 Storm Approaches Jamaica

Hurricane Beryl has intensified into a Category 5 storm, with record-breaking winds of 165 mph, posing a grave threat as it moves towards Jamaica and wreaks havoc across the Caribbean.

According to the National Hurricane Center's update on Tuesday, Beryl, located 235 miles southeast of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Sea, sustained winds nearly reaching 165 mph. This surpasses the strength of Hurricane Emily in 2015, making it the strongest July hurricane on record. By the afternoon, maximum sustained winds had slightly decreased to 160 mph, accompanied by higher gusts.

The storm has already claimed four lives. In Grenada, three fatalities occurred, including two on Carriacou Island and one from a fallen tree on River Road. St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported one casualty, with fears of more to come.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada described extensive devastation, highlighting the destruction of homes, buildings, and infrastructure, with power lines down and roads blocked by debris.

Moving westward at approximately 22 mph, Beryl is projected to continue this path through Wednesday, passing close to Jamaica before approaching the Cayman Islands on Thursday and potentially making landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula that night.

While forecasters anticipate some weakening today, Beryl is expected to maintain major hurricane status as it crosses the central Caribbean, passing near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday. Additional weakening is predicted, but Beryl is likely to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Jamaican authorities have issued a hurricane warning, urging citizens to seek higher ground and prepare for the impending disaster. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the severity of the situation, warning that emergency services may not be available during the height of the storm.

The Caribbean faces significant impact and damage this week, with Jamaica expecting heavy rain and potential flooding on Wednesday. Storm surges of 5 to 8 feet above normal levels are forecasted in Jamaica, the southwestern Haitian peninsula, and the Cayman Islands, along with up to 12 inches of rainfall.

As Hurricane Beryl continues its destructive path, communities are mobilizing resources to confront the unprecedented challenges posed by this catastrophic storm.