Hurricane Beryl has intensified into the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, posing a significant threat to the southeast Caribbean. Late Saturday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Beryl, currently around 595 miles east of Barbados, is expected to escalate into a “dangerous major hurricane” by the time it reaches the Windward Islands late Sunday into Monday. The NHC warned, “Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area beginning Sunday night,” cautioning about heavy rain, flooding, and “life-threatening winds and storm surge” that could raise water levels as much as seven feet (2.1 meters) above normal.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Tropical storm warnings or watches are in effect for Martinique, Tobago, and Dominica. Residents in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, are preparing with long lines at gas stations and crowded supermarkets as they stock up on essentials. Beryl’s maximum sustained winds have reached 85 mph, with higher gusts expected.
The NHC predicts that Beryl will make landfall in the Windward Islands, bringing destructive winds and a life-threatening storm surge starting Sunday night. The formation of a major hurricane this early in the Atlantic season, which typically runs from early June to late November, is unusual. Historically, only five major hurricanes have formed before July in the Atlantic.
As Beryl approaches, the Caribbean region remains on high alert. The storm is moving west at 22 mph and is expected to drop up to six inches of rain on Barbados and nearby islands, with high surf warnings in place for waves up to 13 feet.
In addition to Beryl, a cluster of thunderstorms following its path has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression by next week, raising further concerns for Caribbean leaders.