Hurricane Beryl Devastates Eastern Caribbean with Record Category 5 Impact

UNDP is poised to deploy personnel to support national and regional emergency management authorities in launching recovery efforts in the Eastern Caribbean.

Over the weekend, Hurricane Beryl made a historic landfall in the Eastern Caribbean, reaching winds of 155-160 mph and becoming the earliest-recorded Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic. The storm has caused extensive flooding, widespread destruction of homes, and devastating impacts on livelihoods across affected communities.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the severe infrastructural damage, as well as the suffering inflicted on communities by this hurricane. UNDP stands in solidarity with the Caribbean people, and we are prepared to assist governments and communities in addressing immediate critical needs as they embark on recovery efforts,” said Michelle Muschett, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNDP is poised to deploy personnel to support national and regional emergency management authorities in launching recovery efforts in the Eastern Caribbean. The organization is also monitoring the hurricane’s trajectory, which could potentially affect Jamaica, Haiti, and Central America.

Preliminary reports indicate severe impacts in Carriacou, Grenada, and the Grenadine Islands in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure including telecommunications, and at least one fatality. Barbados has also reported damage to coastal infrastructure and significant property losses in the marine sector.

Beryl marks the second named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, projected to be exceptionally active. Elevated ocean temperatures, exacerbated by the 2023-24 El Niño phenomenon, have set the stage for a heightened hurricane season following an intense drought. Forecasters anticipate 20-25 storms this season, of which 8-12 could develop into hurricanes. In response to this unprecedented threat, UNDP remains committed to supporting the region in disaster prevention, preparedness, and recovery efforts.