Hurricane Beryl's fury looms: Jamaica braces for impact
A destructive natural disaster has devastated the southeastern part of the Caribbean and is expected to reach Jamaica in the coming hours. The situation is extremely serious. Tourist organizations have issued appeals to tourists.
4:51 PM EDT, July 3, 2024
At least seven people were killed as a result of Hurricane Beryl passing through the southeastern Caribbean. On Tuesday afternoon local time, the hurricane was about 127 miles southeast of Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic.
The wind was blowing at a speed of 155 mph and moving northwest at 22 mph. "What worries us the most is Jamaica, as we expect the eye of the powerful hurricane to pass near or over the island," said Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at the time.
The destructive hurricane is getting closer
Yesterday, on July 2, photos on social media showed how residents of Jamaica are preparing for the arrival of the destructive hurricane. Locals lined up in long queues in front of stores to buy water supplies, and business owners boarded up windows and shopfronts to prevent the disaster from destroying their property.
On Wednesday, July 3, around 5 AM in Poland, the hurricane was about 186 miles southeast of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. The wind was blowing at a speed of 143 mph at that time. Beryl had already weakened from the highest, fifth, to the fourth category on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Despite this downgrade, it can still cause significant damage.
The NHC's concerns about what will happen in Jamaica are warranted. The strongest impact of the hurricane in Jamaica is expected at 9 AM Eastern Time. Now, offices and the international airport in Montego Bay have already been closed.
Warnings for tourists
The fear and terror currently felt by tourists in Jamaica are entirely understandable. The situation is dynamic.
Tourist organizations emphasize that the Jamaican government and the tourism industry know how to behave in such challenging situations. They appeal to guests staying in hotels to follow the staff's instructions. "We strongly recommend that all visitors remain in safe places," the Jamaica Tourist Board states in its communication.
They also remind tourists to always have their passports, cash, and all necessary documents. It is also handy to have digital copies of these documents on your phone or tablet. Additionally, it is advisable to pack medicines in a small bag with documents in case evacuation is necessary.
The hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean occurs every year from June 1 to November 30.
