The U.S. government has issued an “emergency message” for Americans visiting all Easter Caribbean destinations due to the dangers posed by Hurricane Beryl this week.
This storm has intensified into an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane, as it approaches several countries in the region.
Yesterday, June 30, it was downgraded to a Category 3 (111-130 mph), but “a disaster” is still expected when it makes landfall in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines later today, July 1.
Cruises and yachts in Granada and nearby islands have been evacuated.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had to declare “a natural disaster” and said that devastation is “likely to happen” over the next few days.
Americans living or visiting Chattam Bay, Kingstown, Calliaqua, Granada’s east coast, Connery, Bottom Byera, Georgetown, Sandy Bay or Owia should look for shelter at once.
Strong hurricanes like this are typically expected from the second week of August, not this early. Such a phenomenon has not been seen in 58 years. The storm only took 42 hours to go from a tropical depression to a major hurricane.
As of 8 p.m. ET yesterday, Beryl was about 200 miles southeast of Barbados, heading west.
This “life-threatening storm” is expected to raise water levels to up to 9 feet above normal tide and bring some destructive waves in places near the coasts.
“We’re forecasting rapid intensification and expecting Beryl to become a major hurricane before it reaches places like Barbados and the Windward islands and continue to be a powerful hurricane as it moves into the eastern and central Caribbean as we go into the early portions of next week,” said hurricane center Director Fredricka Whitfield.
As of today, the islands under direct threat of Beryl include Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands, Grenada and Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago residents and visitors must take immediate action to protect their lives and livelihoods, said the government yesterday as the country was put under a red-level warning.
“Secure food, water and medicine for at least 7 days in waterproof containers. Outdoor drains should be clear and loose objects secured by now. Sandbags should be near all entrances to your home,” said the government.
Other countries that need to watch out for dangerous tropical storms over the next few days include some parts of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Martinique, Dominica and Trinidad, said the hurricane center.
The U.S. Embassy for Caribbean countries strongly advises you to register on the Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to help locate you in case you get lost and connect you with your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
According to the agency, the most affected locations will include “Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Martinique. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Dominica.”
The government is permanently monitoring the hurricane situation and you should follow suit.