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Hurricane Beryl has set a new record as the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic Basin. Currently, the WLOX First Alert Weather Team is monitoring Beryl as it tracks through the Caribbean, breaking early-season intensity records. Despite its ferocity, there are no imminent threats to South Mississippi at this time.
Beryl’s Current Path and Impact
As of the latest advisory, Beryl is moving west-northwest at 22 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. The hurricane is expected to bring life-threatening conditions to Jamaica by Wednesday and the Cayman Islands by Wednesday night or early Thursday. Forecasts indicate that Beryl will reach Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Friday and then re-emerge over the southwestern Gulf (Bay of Campeche) by the weekend as a tropical storm.
Warnings and Watches Issued
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued multiple warnings and watches:
- Hurricane Warnings for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.
- Hurricane Watches for the south coast of Haiti and the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
- Tropical Storm Warnings for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
- Tropical Storm Watches for the coast of Belize.
- These advisories urge residents to complete their preparations to protect life and property.
Potential Threats
Beryl is expected to cause severe wind damage, significant storm surge, and heavy rainfall. Here are the anticipated impacts:
- Wind: Hurricane-force winds extending up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds up to 185 miles.
- Storm Surge: Water levels could rise by 5-8 feet in Jamaica, 2-4 feet in the Cayman Islands, and 1-3 feet in Hispaniola.
- Rainfall: Beryl could produce 4-8 inches of rain in Jamaica and parts of Haiti, with isolated areas seeing up to 12 inches. The Cayman Islands may receive 2-4 inches of rain.
- Beryl’s Record-Breaking Formation
Beryl’s formation on June 28 marked several records:
- The easternmost hurricane to form in June.
- The earliest Category 4 and 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin.
- The strongest June hurricane by wind speed.
- The storm’s rapid intensification is attributed to record-warm sea surface temperatures and conducive atmospheric conditions.
Historical Context and Preparation
Beryl’s unprecedented strength and early formation underscore the growing intensity of Atlantic hurricanes. Authorities in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico are on high alert, urging residents to heed warnings and prepare for potential impacts.
As Beryl continues its path through the Caribbean, residents in its projected path should stay informed and take necessary precautions. The storm’s record-breaking intensity serves as a reminder of the increasing power of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic.
Resources
- WLOX.com: Beryl cruising through Caribbean
- NOAA Advisory Bulletin
- DigitalNewsReport.com Research Team