Hurricane Beryl batters Windward Islands, heads towards Jamaica

Hurricane Beryl made its first landfall on Mon. morning (July 2) as a Category 4 storm arriving in Carriacou, Grenada as a Category 4 storm, with winds of 150 mph, heavy rainfall and damaging storm surges. Reports following the storm’s passing said there had been ‘significant damage.’

The Category 4 storm also hammered Petite Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados with those islands also reporting damage or flooding.

And while Hurricane Beryl has been downgraded, it will still be a major hurricane of at least Category 3 strength when it makes landfall in Jamaica tomorrow (Wed., July 3)

Officials in Jamaica are advising of airport closings, as follows:

• Norman Manley Intl Airport (KGN) will close at 10 pm today (Tues., July 2) with the last flight scheduled to depart at 9:45.
• MBJ will remain closed on Wednesday July 3 for the passing of Hurricane Beryl. And MBJ will announce reopening time after Beryl passes, and assessment made.
• Sangster Intel Airport (SIA- MBJ) — Closes at 11:59 p.m. (midnight) on Tuesday July 2. Last scheduled flight is 6:30 p.m. SIA will remain closed on Wednesday July 3 for the passing of Hurricane Beryl. SIA will announce reopening time after Beryl passes and assessment made.

Additional information is (and will be) available at https://www.visitjamaica.com/travel-alerts/

Hurricane warnings are also in effect for Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, while there’s a hurricane watch in place for the southern coast of Haiti.

Sandos Hotels & Resorts has now issued an advisory to inform guests that “the Civil Protection of the State of Quintana Roo has issued a HURRICANE ALERT. Hurricane Beryl is heading towards the Caribbean Sea and it is believed that, if it does not change its course, it could reach our area in a period of approximately 72 hours.”

Sandos’ advisory continues: “We recommend that you approach the Front Desks of the hotel to have updated and detailed information on the evolution of the phenomenon and the course of its trajectory. We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience in this type of fortuitous weather-related situations and remain at your disposal for any need you may have. The next notification will take place as soon as the Civil Protection authorities have it.”