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Hurricane Beryl

Beryl at peak intensity over the Caribbean Sea on July 2
Meteorological history
Formed	June 28, 2024
Category 5 major hurricane
1-minute sustained ( SSHWS/ NWS)
Highest winds	165 mph (270 km/h)
Lowest pressure	934 mbar ( hPa); 27.58  inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	≥8 total
Missing	5
Damage	>$1 billion (2024 USD)
Areas affected	Barbados, Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Puerto Rico
[1] [2]
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Beryl is a very powerful and catastrophic Cape Verde hurricane moving through the Caribbean Sea, in the vicinity of Hispaniola and Jamaica. Beryl is the second named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane ^{[nb 1]} of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It is also the earliest-forming Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record. After forming on June 28 in the Main Development Region, it began rapidly intensifying as it moved west through the central tropical Atlantic. On July 1, Beryl made landfall in Carriacou, Grenada as a high end Category 4 hurricane, causing extensive damage. The hurricane intensified further as it entered the Caribbean Sea, peaking as a Category 5 hurricane early the next morning with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (265 km/h) and minimum pressure of 934 mb (27.6 inHg) before gradually weakening.

Beryl caused catastrophic damage on the island of Carriacou, where many structures were damaged or destroyed, and 4 people died as a result of the hurricane. Surrounding islands such as Trinidad and Tobago also suffered damage, but less then that of Carriacou. In Venezuela, two people were killed and several were missing. As of July 2, a total of 8 fatalities have been confirmed, ^[1] and preliminary damage estimates are in excess of $1 billion.

Meteorological history

On June 25, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted a low potential for a tropical wave to eventually develop into a tropical cyclone. At the time, the wave was south of Cabo Verde, and was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. ^[4] By June 26, the NHC anticipated that environmental conditions would be "unusually conducive for late June across the central and western tropical Atlantic," due in part to record-warm sea surface temperatures (SST) throughout much of the tropical Atlantic. By that time, the thunderstorms had increased and become better organized, with curved bands and some spin. ^{[5] [6]} By June 27, the NHC assessed a high likelihood of development. ^[7] The disturbance further organized, becoming Tropical Depression Two over the central tropical Atlantic on June 28, about 1,970 km (1,225 mi) east-southeast of Barbados. ^[8]

Located south of a strong subtropical ridge, the depression moved generally westward through an area of low wind shear, warm SST, and plenty of atmospheric moisture. As a result, the system began a period of rapid intensification. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Beryl six hours after formation, ^[9] and the thunderstorms quickly organized into a central dense overcast, with a symmetric cloud pattern surrounded by rainbands. ^[10] Late on June 29, Beryl intensified into a hurricane. The inner core of the thunderstorms organized into an eye, ^[11] which became clear and symmetrical. Observations from the Hurricane Hunters indicated that Beryl became a major hurricane on June 30. ^[12] The hurricane strengthened further into a Category 4 hurricane, attaining an initial peak intensity with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). ^[13] Beryl then underwent an eyewall replacement cycle and briefly weakened to a Category 3 hurricane early on July 1, ^[14] but regained Category 4 strength six hours later once the cycle was completed. ^[15] At 15:10 UTC the same day, Beryl made landfall in Carriacou, Grenada, with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). ^[16] At 03:00 UTC the next day, Beryl further intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, peaking a few hours later with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h). ^{[17] [18]}

Preparations

Lesser Antilles

Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia were put under a hurricane warning on June 29. ^[19] Tobago was also put under a hurricane warning on June 30, ^[20] while Trinidad was under a tropical storm warning. ^[21] Martinique was also under a tropical storm warning and a vigilance orange. ^{[22] [23]} Caribbean Airlines postponed several flights between Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago on June 30. ^[24] Virgin Atlantic also experienced schedule disruptions. ^[25]

All businesses on Barbados were ordered to be closed by 7:00 pm. The island also shut down waterlines. ^[26] The India national cricket team was unable to return home from Barbados after winning the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. ^[27] Several attendants were also stranded on Barbados. ^[28] More than 400 people were staying in hurricane shelters across Barbados. ^[29]

A 7:00 pm curfew was instated in Grenada for June 30. A state of emergency was declared by Governor-General Cécile La Grenade that would last for a week. ^[30] A Caribbean Community meeting in Grenada, scheduled to run from July 3 to July 5, was cancelled. ^[31] On June 29, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia ordered a national shutdown in anticipation of Beryl's impacts on the island nation. ^[32] Saint Vincent and the Grenadines imposed a curfew and a government shut down for 7:00 pm. ^{[33] [34]} Shelters were opened on June 29 on the islands. ^[35] More than 1,100 people used the shelters. ^[36]

A state of emergency was declared for Tobago. ^[37] Ferry schedules were modified on June 30 in Trinidad and Tobago. All ferries to Tobago for July 1 were cancelled. ^[38] Schools across the nation were closed for July 1. ^[39] In the 14 shelters across Tobago, 145 people were sheltered in for Hurricane Beryl. ^[40]

Greater Antilles

Jamaica was placed under a hurricane warning on July 1. ^[41] Additionally, Jamaica's Disaster Risk Coordination Committee convened to prepare for the hurricane. ^[42] In Saint Ann's Bay, all state-run and affiliated local agencies were activated. ^[43] Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport were closed on July 3. ^{[44] [45]}

The southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti were put under a tropical storm warning. ^[46] Humanitarian agencies in Haiti were in close contact with Haitian authorities as Beryl neared the nation. ^[47]

The Cayman Islands were put under a hurricane warning on July 2. ^[48] Delta, United, and Air Canada modified their flight schedules from July 2–4 to enable for the evacuation of the islands. This included adding extra flights to Miami. ^[49]

Mexico

On July 1, Quintana Roo was placed on a blue alert in preparation for Beryl. ^[50]

Impact

Lesser Antilles

In Barbados, one death was reported. ^[1] Roofs, trees and electrical posts were damaged. ^[51] Businesses and roads were flooded. Fishing boats were damaged. ^[52] In Tobago, nine trees fell and nine structures were damaged. Power outages also occurred across the island. ^[40] In Trinidad, power outages occurred mainly on the northern and eastern parts of the island. Flooding also occured on the northern half of Trinidad. ^{[53] [54]} Électricité de France stated that 10,000 customers lost power in Martinique. ^[55] In Fort-de-France, flooding in the downtown reached knee-depth. ^[52]

Saint Vincent experienced winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) and rough seas. Structural damage, especially roof damage, was common across the nation, including at two schools and a church in Kingstown. ^[36] In Union Island, over 90% of buildings were destroyed. ^[56] One death was confirmed on the island. ^[57]

Carriacou, along with neighboring Petite Martinique, had no electricity and limited communication, with extensive destruction of roofs and damage to buildings occurring. ^[58] In the rest of the Grenada, 95% of customers were without power and telecommunications were damaged. ^[59] One person died on the main island of Grenada when a house collapsed in St. George's. ^[60] A total of four deaths have been confirmed across the nation.

Initial reports estimated that the hurricane caused over $1 billion in economic losses. ^[61]

Venezuela

Two people were killed, five others were missing and over 6,000 houses were damaged in Sucre, Venezuela. ^[62]

Greater Antilles

Puerto Rico experienced heavy rain and winds from Beryl. ^[63]

Records

Beryl is the easternmost hurricane to form in the tropical Atlantic in June – 49.3°W, besting the mark set by the 1933 Trinidad hurricane – 58.9°W. ^{[64] [65]} Additionally, it became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the basin, surpassing the previous record set on July 8, 2005 by Hurricane Dennis, ^{[64] [66]} and the strongest June hurricane as measured by wind speed, surpassing Hurricane Audrey of 1957. ^{[67] [68]} It later became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, surpassing the record set on July 16, 2005 by Hurricane Emily, as well as becoming the strongest July hurricane on record by wind speed . ^{[66] [69] [70]} Beryl also became the first system on record to undergo rapid intensification in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic during the month of June. ^{[64] [66]}

See also

• Other storms of the same name
• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• Timeline of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Beryl (2024).

• The NHC's Advisory Archive on Hurricane Beryl