Senior Reporter
jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt
Evacuation orders have been issued for residents of certain communities in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl made landfall yesterday.
The deadly hurricane was forecast to bring life-threatening winds and floods to the nation. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in an update on X (formerly Twitter), stated that hundreds of Jamaican nationals were already in shelters.
“I was just at the ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) Command Centre, where I received a briefing on the ongoing impact of Hurricane Beryl and reviewed our response system. In updating our media colleagues, I noted that as of an hour ago, we had almost 500 Jamaicans in shelters. We are placing emphasis on ensuring they are comfortable and well looked after.”
According to the ODPEM, as of yesterday afternoon, instances of landslips and flooding were already reported in Jamaica. Several roads were rendered impassable after being blocked by debris, fallen trees, and downed electrical poles.
The island’s Norman Manley International Airport was also damaged by strong winds. According to the country’s meteorological service, rainfall totals of four to eight inches are forecast for most areas over the period, with higher amounts in higher elevations.
“Strong winds, reaching near hurricane force, are expected over sections of mainly southern parishes today (Wednesday) as the eye of Beryl moves close to the coast. Tropical storm force winds are also likely over other parts of the island.”
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister declared Jamaica a disaster area for the next seven days. Before Beryl slammed into the island, residents were seen safeguarding their properties by boarding up windows and trimming trees. There was also a surge in supermarkets across the country, with citizens stocking up on essential supplies.
Members of the fisherfolk community also took action to protect their vessels. After Jamaica, Beryl will close in on the Cayman Islands. The Government has issued a ‘stay in place’ notice in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl.
“Unnecessary travel could cause added emergencies during this period of heightened response. With this in mind, persons who are choosing to take shelter away from home should do so before nightfall to ensure that they are within a secure location before weather conditions begin to deteriorate.”
Cayman Islands Regiment reservists and troopers have been deployed.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed that three people lost their lives in the tri-island state as a result of the Category 4 hurricane, while St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves confirmed one death in his country.