Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, has caused widespread devastation across several islands in the southeastern Caribbean after making landfall. Strong winds of up to 150mph ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, and brought down electricity lines, leading to power outages and water cuts. This is the earliest in the year that a storm of this strength has formed in the Atlantic, attributed to unusually warm waters. Officials in Grenada and other affected islands reported significant damage, including a hospital roof being damaged and evacuation of patients. The hurricane is expected to continue wreaking havoc for days, with nearby islands and countries also bracing for impact. Storm warnings are in place for St. Lucia, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and a hurricane watch for Jamaica. The US National Hurricane Center warns of an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation, as Beryl is forecast to remain significant during its trek across the region. Climate change has been cited as a factor contributing to the intensity of storms like Beryl. The hurricane is projected to weaken slightly as it moves over the Caribbean Sea towards Mexico. Hurricane Ivan, 20 years ago, caused similar destruction in the region, highlighting the need for resilience and preparedness in the face of such natural disasters.
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