At a Glance
- Hurricane Beryl damaged buildings and cars in Jamaica.
- The Cayman Islands activated all emergency services.
- Beryl is increasing the rip current threat on Gulf of Mexico beaches.
Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.
Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc on Jamaica Wednesday, damaging buildings including the capital city's main airport.
Tourists were stranded, power outages were widespread and at least 500 people were in shelters as the storm lashed the island.
"We are placing emphasis on ensuring they are comfortable and well looked after," Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a social media update Wednesday evening.
The Cayman Islands, meanwhile, were on high alert.
"Every single layer here in the Cayman Islands is activated," Danielle Coleman, Cayman Islands hazard management director, told The Weather Channel.
(MORE: Latest Beryl Forecast | Beryl Maps Tracker)
After passing the Caymans, Beryl could impact Mexico and possibly the Texas Gulf Coast through the weekend.
At least seven people are dead in areas already impacted by Beryl, including the Windward Islands and Venezuela.
Here are our live updates as Beryl bore down Wednesday.
(6:01 p.m. ET) What's Next For Jamaica, Caymans
From weather.com senior meteorologist Dina Knightly:
Overnight, Beryl will begin to move away from Jamaica.
The storm will pass by the Cayman Islands by Thursday and then head toward the Yucatán Peninsula
Conditions in Jamaica won’t improve until tomorrow morning. The Cayman Islands won’t see improved conditions until probably tomorrow evening.
(5:55 p.m. ET) Roof Ripped Apart At Kingston's Airport
A section of roof is damaged at Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport, according to video posted to social media.
Audley Deidrick, head of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, told local news source The Gleaner that the roof is in a passenger area of the airport.
(5:45 p.m. ET) Cayman Islands Braces For Beryl
All levels of emergency response are prepared to respond.
"We really are working to make sure that every single person in the Cayman Islands are ready for the storm. It's absolutely critical," Danielle Coleman, Cayman Islands hazard management director, told The Weather Channel.
Coleman said 17 shelters are available for use and damage assessment teams are ready to deploy if needed.
(4:50 p.m. ET) Eyewall Brushing Jamaica
Conditions continue to worsen as Beryl's eyewall brushes the south coast of Jamaica.
The National Hurricane Center says the storm is about 65 miles west-southwest of Kingston. Sustained winds remain at 140 mph.
Photos and video posted to social media show damage to buildings and vehicles.
(4:39 p.m. ET) Texas Planning For Beryl
The state of Texas is preparing to staff emergency operations centers and has advised 39 emergency management response organizations to be prepared to mobilize if needed.
"Texas stands ready to deploy all available resources and support to our coastal communities as Hurricane Beryl approaches the state," Governor Greg Abbott said in a news release.
While Beryl's track remains uncertain, the storm could bring impacts to parts of the Texas Gulf Coast early next week as either a tropical storm or hurricane.
(4:24 p.m. ET) Winds Whipping On Jamaica
An 81 mph wind gust was measured a short while ago at Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport.
(4:01 p.m. ET) Beryl Raises Rip Current Risk Into Holiday Weekend
From weather.com senior meteorologist Dina Knightly:
Beryl could emerge into the Gulf of Mexico by early this weekend. Even if it does not make a direct hit on the U.S. or it is weaker, it can still have an impact with large waves, dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding.
You may want to get in the water at the beach and it looks like a beautiful day, but the water could be very dangerous. Please watch for beach flags and only swim in areas with lifeguards.
Rip currents have killed at least 19 people on beaches in the U.S. this year, including a recent spate of deaths in Florida.
Here’s more on rip currents and how to stay safe:
-Here's What Lifeguard Beach Flags Mean
-What To Do If you Get Caught In A Rip Current
(3:28 p.m. ET) Tennessee Honeymooners Trapped In Jamaica
Casey Haley and Warner Haley landed in Jamaica on Sunday. Once they realized Beryl was on the way, they tried unsuccessfully to get a flight out, the couple told WBIR-TV in Knoxville.
"We took a taxi to a grocery store in order to try to stock up and it was a frenzy there, which is when we realized this is actually serious. You know, when the locals are actually concerned, that's when there's actually something up," Casey Haley told the station ahead of the storm.
"It was just so crazy. We decided to come back to our resort, and we stocked up on some supplies from the gift shop, and now we are just watching the wind start to pick up and waiting for what comes next."
(3:10 p.m. ET) Making History, And Where Beryl's Going Next
Our extended coverage includes:
-How Hurricane Beryl Made History
-Hurricane Beryl In Photos
-Category 5 Hurricanes Are An Elite Status In The Atlantic Basin
-Hurricane Beryl Can Have Big Impacts On The U.S. Even If It Is Weaker
(2:48 p.m. ET) Beryl's Strike On Jamaica Has Begun
Beryl is lashing Jamaica. The storm was about 45 miles south of Kingston at around 2 p.m., per the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. It's not clear if the hurricane will actually make landfall in Jamaica, but the impacts are expected to be major either way.
Beryl remains a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds up to 140 mph.
To its east, Beryl continues to pump rain into Haiti, raising the risk of flooding and mudslides.
(2:29 p.m. ET) Airlines Issue Mexico Travel Advisories
Advertisem*nt
The list of airports that could experience delays or cancellations due to Beryl is increasing.
Destinations impacted include Cancun, Cozumel, Merida and Tulum in Mexico, as well as Belize City.
Airlines including Delta, United, American, Southwest and Jet Blue are waiving any applicable change fees for passengers traveling to areas that are or could be impacted.
(2:09 p.m. ET) It’s Been Nearly Two Decades Since Jamaica’s Last Major Hurricane Hit
“Jamaica is ground zero today,” weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman says. “This will be their strongest hurricane strike in 17 years.”
That was when Hurricane Dean raked the island and left at least three people dead.
(1:50 p.m. ET) Texans Urged To Stay Alert This Holiday Week
The Texas Division of Emergency Management urged Texans and people visiting the state for the July Fourth holiday to keep an eye on the Gulf, heed warnings from local officials and have an emergency plan in case Beryl’s impacts reach the Texas coast.
(MORE: Texas Now In The Cone)
(1:22 p.m. ET) Conditions Deteriorating On Jamaica
Video shared to social media shows wind whipping trees and blowing rain on the northeast corner of Jamaica.
Nearly 3 million people live in Jamaica, according to the World Bank. Tourism and agriculture account for more than one third of the island's jobs, making the economy highly vulnerable to weather and climate impacts, the World Bank notes.
(1:04 p.m. ET) Evacuation Flights From Cayman Islands
Cayman Airlines added five flights to Miami on Wednesday to accommodate tourists and locals who want to leave ahead of Beryl’s arrival in the island chain. Four flights were added on Tuesday .
(MORE: What To Do If Your Vacation Is In A Hurricane Path)
Anyone traveling to the Caribbean in the coming days should check with their flight or cruise line for any changes.
(12:38 p.m. ET) Satellite Images Show Beryl’s Power
Beryl is giving us some incredible satellite images.
Weather.com senior meteorologist Chris Dolce compiled the best in a collection that shows the record storm near its peak intensity.
Click through the slideshow below or follow this link to see them.
(12:18 p.m. ET) Beryl Whipping Waves In Dominican Republic
Video posted to social media shows waves flooding coastal areas in Santo Domingo, and people running as the water rushes in.
A tropical storm watch was issued for the Dominican Republic but has been canceled as Beryl moves toward Jamaica. A hurricane warning for neighboring Haiti was also canceled.
Both countries are on the island of Hispaniola.
Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's capital, is about 460 miles east of Kingston, Jamaica.
(11:30 a.m. ET) Disaster Declared In Jamaica, Curfew In Place
A curfew is in place starting today, and a disaster has been declared in anticipation of Beryl's wrath.
"We urge all Jamaicans to comply with notices to evacuate," Holness said.
"Even without a notice, if you live in a low-lying area or near a river or gully, evacuate to safer ground."
(10 a.m. ET) Beryl Is A Deadly Hurricane
The storm killed at least four people in the Windward Islands and is reported to have "flattened" the island of Carriacou, Grenada. Damage assessment and emergency response is still underway there, as well as in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados.
(MORE: Hurricane Beryl Slams Windward Islands)
Three deaths in Venezuela are also being blamed on heavy rains and flooding as the storm passed by.
Beryl already made history as the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record before weakening slightly to a Category 4 Tuesday afternoon.
Below are our updates from Tuesday, as preparations kicked into high gear in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands
Hurricane Beryl Comes At Height Of Summer Travel Season
"We have thousands of tourists on island at this point in time," Delano Seiveright, an official with the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, told Radio Jamaica News. "This is one of the busiest travel periods with Americans and Canadians in particular in holiday mode, and we have thousands of workers who have to make their own hurricane preparation arrangements."
(MORE: Why A Hurricane Probably Won't Ruin Your Cruise)
The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica warned any U.S. citizens in the country to be prepared to shelter in place if they are in a sturdy building, or go to a government shelter if they are not.
Cayman Airways added several flights to Miami from Grand Cayman's Owen Roberts International Airport to help evacuate tourists.
'Taking This Hurricane Very Seriously'
From Cayman Islands resident Kelsey Rae-Smith, who shared video posted below of long lines at grocery stores:
"The people of the Cayman Islands are taking this hurricane very seriously. Yesterday (Monday) was a public holiday and local grocery stores and hardware stores opened and extended hours giving everyone a chance to prepare ... Some places were so busy that they had to close their doors and limit the number of customers allowed in at one time ... People as of right now are anxious as they continue to make their preparations and those who experienced Ivan in 2004 are especially nervous. Tourists are evacuating, and our local airline has added additional evacuation flights."
Cruise Itineraries Adjusted, Airlines Waive Change Fees
Anyone planning a July 4th Caribbean getaway should double check their travel plans.
Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, was scheduled to shut down at 10 p.m. local time Tuesday, according to local news reports. Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was also set to close.
Airlines including Delta, American, United and Southwest are warning passengers that flights to and from some destinations in Beryl's path, including Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, could be canceled or delayed. Where applicable, change fees are being waived.
Several cruise liners altered plans for ships at sea this week, including Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity, according to the website cruisehive.
Jamaica Residents Asked To Remain Calm, Follow Orders
A hurricane warning was in effect in Jamaica, with residents urged to prepare for life-threatening conditions. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the seriousness of the threat Tuesday and asked residents to remain calm and follow the orders of emergency officials.
Teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining mobilized to clear drains, secure livestock and support farmers, and those in the aquaculture industry were asked to secure fish farms to avoid damage. The National Water Commission advised residents to stockpile water ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Residents are advised to follow the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management for the latest instructions and updates.
Stocking Up In The Cayman Islands
"Residents must take immediate precautions to protect themselves, their families and their properties," the government of the Cayman Islands said in a news release.
Lines up to 3 hours long were reported in stores in the Caymans as preparations kicked into gear.
"Our emergency services are fully mobilized and we are coordinating closely with all relevant agencies," Agriculture Deputy Governor Eric Bush said in the Tuesday update. "Your cooperation and vigilance are vital. Please follow all safety guidelines and prepare for potential evacuations."
Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
