Hurricane Beryl leaves deadly toll in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

• Hurricane Beryl Strikes Jamaica.
• 400,000 Without Power in Jamaica.
• Damage at Norman Manley Airport.

Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and torrential rains.

The powerful Category 4 storm had already caused at least nine deaths in the southeastern Caribbean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Beryl’s eye wall was «brushing the southern coast of Jamaica.»

Rain battered the island for hours, forcing residents to seek shelter as directed by authorities.

Hurricane #Beryl is battering Jamaica with devastating winds. After causing the death of 9 people in the Caribbean, it is expected to impact Mexico on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Hurricane Beryl Leaves Fatal Toll in Jamaica

Hurricane #Beryl is battering Jamaica with devastating winds. After causing the death of 9 people in the Caribbean, it is expected to hit Mexico on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Heavy rains are expected in El Salvador starting Friday. pic.twitter.com/U2zBvY9i9H

— Jorge Manzanares (@JorgeManzaSV) July 4, 2024

Power was cut off in much of the capital, Kingston. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said nearly 500 people were housed in shelters by Wednesday afternoon.

Holness warned that Jamaica had not yet seen «the worst of what could happen.» Several roads inland were blocked by fallen trees and poles.

Related: https://mundonow.com/en/hurricane-beryl-could-impact-texas/

Some communities in the northern area were without electricity, according to the EFE news agency.

The government information service reported that more than 400,000 Jamaicans, about 65% of the customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), are without power.

Thousands Without Power in Jamaica

JPS Communications Director Winsome Callum explained that «remote restoration» of power supply in Jamaica is underway.

This will continue until authorities lift the hurricane warning and clear the way for crews to enter the affected communities.

Beryl’s intense winds caused significant damage to the island’s infrastructure and to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

PAC Kingston Airport Limited, the airport operators, reported that the passenger boarding area’s roof was damaged.

The final damage assessment will be conducted once hurricane Beryl passes. The international airport has been closed since Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. local time, and its reopening will depend on the post-cyclone situation.

Images shared on the social network X show torn-off roofs and fallen trees and power poles, according to The Associated Press.

Authorities have urged citizens to stay in their homes or in designated shelters.

Emergency teams are working tirelessly to clear roads and restore essential services.

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