8.30am AST, 30 June, 2024
Hurricane Beryl is now a “very dangerous” Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, and is expected to strengthen further before it reaches the eastern Caribbean.
The cyclone is barrelling west across the Atlantic Ocean towards the region at a speed of 21mph and is expected to make landfall on Monday morning.
Hurricane-force winds are extending up to 15 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
The second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is likely to bring destructive hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and life-threatening storm surges and waves.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Tobago where residents should to rush to complete preparations to protect life and property.
In addition, Martinique is under a tropical storm warning and Dominica is under a tropical storm watch.
While the storm is not expected to directly impact Montserrat, the National Hurricane Center is advising islands in the Lesser Antilles to closely monitor the progress of the storm.
Quickly evolving
In a forecast published at 8am this morning, 30 June, the centre said winds are expected to reach 130mph in the next 24 hours, making Beryl an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm.
“Beryl’s structure is quickly evolving this morning as it undergoes rapid intensification,” the forecast said.
It added: “This is a very serious situation developing for the Windward Islands, so please listen to your local government and emergency management officials for any preparedness and/or evacuation orders.”
Forecasters expect devastating wind damage where the eye wall passes over land, with wind speeds on the windward sides of hills predicted to be about 30% stronger than lower elevations.
A life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as nine feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore flow in the hurricane warning areas, the centre said.
Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves, the hurricane centre added.
Beryl is forecast to produce rainfall totals of up to six inches this evening and into Monday. This rainfall may cause flooding in vulnerable areas, the centre said.
Above average
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an above normal Atlantic hurricane season. This takes place from June 1 to November 30.
Experts forecast a range of 17 to 25 total named storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. They expect eight to 13 to become hurricanes, with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher.
Of those, they have forecast four to seven to be major hurricanes, of category three, four or five, with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher.
Montserrat’s Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) director Alvin Ryan, in a Facebook video message on 1 June, urged residents to prepare.
“Action now can really help reduce the impacts of storms on our communities, reduce damage to property, and most importantly, save lives, which is the ultimate goal,” he said.
“Remember, it only takes one.”
Information on how to prepare for a hurricane is available in the DMCA’s 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Guide here.
Visit the National Hurricane Center for the latest weather updates at www.nhc.noaa.gov
