Officials are reporting widespread damage in the southeastern Caribbean after Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, made landfall earlier than ever recorded. Roofs were ripped off buildings, trees uprooted, and electricity lines brought crashing down on several islands. This early storm is fueled by unusually warm waters in the Atlantic, breaking the previous record held by Hurricane Dennis in 2005.
Grenada and surrounding islands have already experienced devastation, with reports of hospital roof damage and evacuations. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell warns of potentially greater damage and calls for continued prayers. St. Vincent and the Grenadines also report significant damage, with roofs torn off churches and schools, and communication networks failing. Barbados has received reports of roof damage and fallen trees.
The hurricane is now heading towards other Caribbean islands, with storm warnings in place for St. Lucia, Martinique, parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as a hurricane watch for Jamaica. The US National Hurricane Center emphasizes the life-threatening situation, warning that Beryl is expected to remain a significant hurricane as it continues through the region.
Scientists attribute the intensity and early formation of hurricanes to climate change, as warmer waters fuel these storms. Climate change experts warn of more intense hurricanes in the future. Hurricane Beryl is expected to weaken as it moves over the Caribbean Sea towards Mexico. Residents across the region are bracing themselves for the impact of this powerful storm.
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