Hurricane Beryl to bring life-threatening winds, storm surge to ...

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Deadly Hurricane Beryl slowly weakened to a Category 4 hurricane on Tuesday as the historic storm continues to spin across the Caribbean Sea with Jamaica and the Cayman Islands in its crosshairs.

It’s the next move for Hurricane Beryl after the storm made landfall Monday in Carriacou Island, Grenada, as a powerful, high-end Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph.

At least six people were killed across the region, and government officials on several islands fear that number could rise as surveys are conducted.

And now, as Hurricane Beryl continues to make its way closer to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, residents are holding their breath and rushing to complete last-minute preparations while praying for the hurricane to wobble farther south and spare the region.

Jamaican prime minister warns residents of impending disaster

Whether Jamaica takes a direct hit or not, government officials say they're ready to respond to the potential disaster.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness held a news conference on Monday and urged residents to be "in a high state of readiness and preparedness" as Hurricane Beryl advances across the Caribbean.

"We have an impending disaster, and we have to treat it with the seriousness that it requires," he said on Monday. "We will have some adverse weather impacts, whether it’s a direct hit or a glancing blow, and therefore, everyone needs to be now in a mental state of readiness."

Holness also said the Disaster Risk Management Act was activated Monday night, providing additional authority to coordinate and execute various emergency response activities.

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In addition, Holness announced on Tuesday that all government offices, except those that provide essential services, would be closed during the afternoon hours in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl's impact.

"Citizens are encouraged to use this time to prepare for the hurricane by securing their property and getting relevant items to last up to three days or until the hurricane passes," officials said on Facebook.

Daryl Vaz, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, said telecommunications companies have their emergency plans in place as the island prepares for the possible arrival of Hurricane Beryl.

Airports such as Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston were also set to close ahead of the hurricane.

In addition, the Chief of Defense Staff for the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF), Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman, said her troops are ready to help and respond in the event that Hurricane Beryl directly impacts the country.

"The JDF has initiated its normal protocols for hurricane preparedness, so firstly, we have set about securing our bases and installations so that we are ready and available to serve the nation," she said.

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Cayman Islands residents told to "prepare for the worst"

A Hurricane Warning was issued for the Cayman Islands, a self-governing British Overseas Territory, on Tuesday morning as residents and visitors prepared for the possible onslaught of Hurricane Beryl's effects.

Cayman Islands Gov. Jane Owen said the British government is utmostly concerned about protecting life and property.

"I can truly see the resilience of the people of our islands, and I’m confident that together, we will be prepared to face whatever the storm may bring," Owen said. "I can also assure you that the (United Kingdom) stands ready to assist and support us should the situation escalate."

The Cayman Islands government is also urging residents to "prepare for the worst" when it comes to impacts from Hurricane Beryl.

Forecasters say they expect powerful winds and significant rain, which could flood low-lying areas and cause power outages.

Cayman Airways said it has changed its flight operations "for the safety of its passengers, crew, the Cayman Airways fleet, and to assist the country with the evacuation of visitors and residents."

Jamaica under Hurricane Warning as Beryl moves closer

The NHC says Beryl should continue to move rapidly to the west-northwest over the next few days and eventually turn westward by Thursday.

On that track, the NHC says the center of Hurricane Beryl will move quickly across the southeastern and central Caribbean on Tuesday and is forecast to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday.

The current track also shows Hurricane Beryl moving into the Yucatán Peninsula on Thursday night or Friday morning. 

Beryl is then forecast to emerge into the Bay of Campeche and possibly the western Gulf of Mexico.

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At least 6 dead after Hurricane Beryl slams islands

One day after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Windward Islands, the reality of the destruction and devastation started to set in.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said in an address to the nation on Monday night that Hurricane Beryl "devastated" Union Island, and 90% of the homes on the island have been severely damaged or destroyed.

The airport also suffered major damage, with Gonsalves saying the facility's roof was ripped off during the storm’s catastrophic winds.

In addition, at least one person was killed, and Gonsalves warned the death toll could rise as more information is received.

Grenada's Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, reported the situation is grim, with buildings destroyed and roads impassable due to downed power lines. Mitchell added that government officials from the nearby island of Carriacou reported at least three deaths and that "the possibility that there will be more fatalities remains a grim reality."

Barbados also suffered the effects of Hurricane Beryl, but efforts to clear streets of debris and restore services began almost immediately after the storm passed.

Significant damage was reported to boats at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex due to the storm surge flooding caused by Hurricane Beryl.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley toured the damage on Monday and said she would work to support those impacted by the damage to the region.

She also said all government departments, with the exception of schools, would be open on Tuesday following Hurricane Beryl's passage.

According to officials, the Port of Bridgetown reopened for business on Tuesday morning, and flights would start to resume at Grantley Adams International Airport.

Crews have also been busy restoring water to affected residents. In an update, the Barbados Water Authority (BWS) said that production capacity reached 85% around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"While all pumps were secured due to the temporary shutdown and are in good working order, the Authority did sustain minor damage to some equipment as a result of the weather," the BWA said in a statement.

Water tankers will continue to deliver water to those in an area without service.