Hurricane Beryl moved towards the Cayman Islands and Mexico after causing destruction in southern Jamaica. It resulted in at least two deaths, downed power lines, and left hundreds homeless in shelters. One victim, a 26-year-old man, was swept away while trying to retrieve a football in Kingston. Another person is missing after being caught in floodwaters.
Beryl was downgraded to a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph. The hurricane warning for the Cayman Islands was lifted, but Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula remained on alert with evacuations from coastal areas and protection of sea turtle eggs.
In Jamaica, the hurricane warning was lifted, but flash flood warnings persisted due to ongoing heavy rains. Residents described scenes of devastation, with homes destroyed in rural communities like Top Hill.
Tourists, like honeymooners from Knoxville, Tennessee, faced travel disruptions as flights were fully booked. Beryl is expected to reach Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and possibly strengthen over the Gulf of Mexico, posing risks to the U.S. Gulf Coast over the holiday weekend.
The National Hurricane Center warned of dangerous beach conditions due to rip currents along the Gulf coast, emphasizing potential hazards regardless of the storm’s exact path.
Across the Caribbean islands, extensive damage was reported, with many homes damaged or destroyed on islands like Mayreau and Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Recovery efforts are expected to be challenging, requiring significant resources.