Historic Fury: Hurricane Beryl's Record-Breaking Rampage in the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc in the southeastern Caribbean, reaching Category 5 status and causing significant damage. With winds up to 160 mph, Beryl devastated homes, downed power lines, and led to at least one fatality. The storm is now advancing toward Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Beryl strengthened to Category 5 status late Monday, unleashing catastrophic winds, ripping doors off hinges, and tearing roofs from homes across the southeastern Caribbean. The unprecedented storm surge was fuelled by record-high Atlantic temperatures.

Beryl made an early landfall on Carriacou Island in Grenada as a Category 4 hurricane and later escalated to 160 mph (260 kph) winds, marking a significant intensification, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm is projected to weaken but will continue to pose serious threats as it progresses deeper into the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada reported one confirmed fatality but expressed concerns about additional casualties given the extensive communication breakdown on Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Efforts to assess the damage were underway.

Across the region, streets from St. Lucia to Grenada were littered with debris, including downed power lines and uprooted trees. The aftermath left residents like Vichelle Clark King heartbroken, as seen in the devastated landscapes of places like Bridgetown, Barbados.

As Hurricane Beryl continued to track toward Jamaica and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, it remained a potent threat, with hurricane and tropical storm warnings in effect for several areas. The weather agencies predicted fluctuations but expected it to maintain its significant strength before finally weakening.

Recalling Hurricane Ivan from two decades ago, this storm has reignited fears of extensive damage and loss. Grenadian officials, including disaster coordinator Terence Walters, have ramped up relief efforts.

International spectators, there for the Twenty20 World Cup cricket final in Barbados, found themselves stranded amidst the chaos, sharing their harrowing experiences.

Experts highlighted Beryl's rapid intensification and historical significance, setting multiple records as it capitalised on unusually warm waters. Forecasters indicate an unusually active hurricane season ahead.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)