Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage across the Windward Islands, resulting in at least seven deaths. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency reported that more than 90% of homes and buildings on three Grenadine Islands were either destroyed or severely damaged. The agency was coordinating disaster response in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as Beryl continued to move across the Caribbean.
Beryl, a Category 4 storm, passed near Jamaica and was expected to reach the Cayman Islands and the Yucatan. The wind speeds were up to 150 mph with higher gusts, causing significant impacts on the islands. The Grenadine Islands were hit with devastating winds that left residents exposed and vulnerable.
Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell described “total destruction” on Carriacou and Petite Martinique. He noted that the islands’ buildings, agriculture, and natural environment were completely devastated. Despite the destruction, volunteers were providing relief supplies to those affected.
Preliminary assessments indicated extensive damage on various islands, with populations affected, communication systems compromised, and buildings destroyed or damaged. Grenada’s agriculture sector suffered significant losses, while other islands reported damage to infrastructure, homes, and coastal areas.
Overall, the impacts of Hurricane Beryl were severe, with communities facing challenges in shelter, communication, and access to basic necessities. Recovery efforts were ongoing, with assistance from various agencies and volunteers. The full extent of the damage caused by Beryl was still being assessed, with recovery and rebuilding efforts ahead for the affected islands.
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