US (Washington Insider Magazine) -Hurricane Beryl has intensified into a Category 5 storm—the earliest on record—causing destruction across the Caribbean after making landfall in the Windward Islands. At least one fatality has been confirmed as the hurricane swept through the region.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Beryl’s maximum sustained winds reached near 160 mph, with gusts even higher. This marks only the second time an Atlantic hurricane has achieved Category 5 status in July, following Hurricane Emily, which reached that intensity on July 17, 2005.
The NHC forecasts fluctuations in Beryl’s strength over the next day, but the storm is expected to maintain major hurricane status as it moves toward the central Caribbean and approaches Jamaica on Wednesday.
Beryl made landfall on Grenada’s Carriacou Island shortly after 11:00 a.m. EDT, with maximum winds recorded at 150 mph. It is the most powerful hurricane documented to traverse the Grenadines since records began in 1851.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada reported widespread destruction in Carriacou and Petite Martinique during a news briefing. “In half an hour, Carriacou was flattened,” he said, noting no immediate reports of fatalities or injuries in Grenada, though he cautioned that the situation could change.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at least one death has been reported, with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves indicating extensive damage to hundreds of homes and buildings. Many areas are currently without water or electricity, exacerbating the situation. Gonsalves described the aftermath of Beryl as leaving “immense destruction, pain, [and] suffering” across the nation. Union Island, situated just north of Grenada, suffered particularly severe damage, with reports indicating that up to 90% of its homes have been destroyed.
In Grenada, approximately 95% of the island has lost power due to the hurricane. Neila K. Ettienne, press secretary for the Prime Minister’s office, confirmed that telecommunications are down, and many residents have lost internet access. All schools and businesses are closed, including the airport, with only hospitals and the national police force remaining operational. The airport recorded a sustained wind speed of 92 mph, with gusts reaching 121 mph Monday afternoon, according to the NHC.
As Hurricane Beryl continues to move through the Caribbean, residents and officials brace for the potential for further destruction and loss.