The U.S. State Department has issued a weather alert for Jamaica and the Caiman Islands regarding the potential threats Hurricane Beryl will bring to the islands from Wednesday.
Hurricane Beryl started barreling towards Jamaica Tuesday night, with weather experts warning of potentially deadly winds and a storm surge.
Until today, the hurricane has claimed the lives of 7 people while leaving others missing.
It has caused widespread destruction across Grenada and some other areas of the southeastern Caribbean.
“The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that the hurricane [will] reach the coast of Jamaica within the warning area on Wednesday morning. Winds are expected to first reach tropical storm strength early on Wednesday and become stronger throughout the day, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous,” reads the advisory.
If visiting or living on any of these islands, there are some actions you are encouraged to take at once.
First and foremost, look for a shelter that can withstand hurricane winds. Contrary to what you may think, you are not allowed to look for shelter in the U.S. Embassy or Consular Agency, since they will be working at a very limited capacity, said authorities.
“You want to be in a safe place where you can ride out the storm by nightfall (Tuesday). Be prepared to stay in that location through Wednesday,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness Tuesday.
Keep both your ID and travel documents handy and, if you have time, prepare an emergency kit with enough Water, food, a flashlight, and a phone with chargers and a backup battery. Find other recommended items at www.ready.gov.
Last but not least, do not forget to inform your family and friends in the U.S. about your whereabouts.
Please do not take these official recommendations lightly.
This hurricane has already created devastation across Grenada with 98% of the island’s buildings damaged or totally destroyed in a matter of one single day.
The destruction is “unimaginable.” “We’ll have to rebuild from the ground up,” said Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell yesterday.
After passing through Jamaica, the hurricane will head for the Cayman Islands on Thursday.
On Friday, it is expected to arrive in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun.