MADRID, Spain.- Hurricane Beryl was downgraded to Category 3, the National Hurricane Center (CNH) reported, as it approached the Caribbean. Shortly afterward, hurricane hunters from the CNH indicated that it had strengthened again to Category 4.
Beryl continues to pose a significant threat to the Windward Islands, including Trinidad, Martinique, Saint Lucia and Barbados, with sustained winds of up to 185 km/h.
Local authorities have issued a variety of warnings and advisories, expecting potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surges and torrential rains that could cause flooding and landslides. In Trinidad and Tobago, the government has urged citizens to secure their homes and stock up on essential supplies. Saint Lucia and Barbados have also activated their emergency plans and set up temporary shelters for residents in vulnerable areas.
Currently, forecast models indicate that Cuba is not in Beryl’s direct path. However, Cuban authorities remain vigilant for any possible changes in the hurricane’s path.
The NHC said that although Beryl’s maximum winds have decreased slightly overnight due to an eyewall replacement cycle, the area of strong winds has grown, which could widen the impact zone. Beryl was south of Barbados early Monday morning and is expected to move across the Windward Islands later in the day.
Beryl is forecast to produce significant rainfall, with totals of 49 to 98 milliliters expected in Barbados and the Windward Islands through this afternoon, and up to 160 milliliters in some areas, especially in the Grenadines and Grenada. Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport has recorded sustained winds of 72 km/h with gusts to 90 km/h.
Hurricane warnings are currently in effect for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago. Tropical storm warnings are also in effect for Martinique and Trinidad, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for Dominica, the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque to the Haitian border, and the southern coast of Haiti from the Dominican Republic border to Anse d’Hainault.
After passing through the Windward Islands, Beryl is expected to move across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea between today and Wednesday, and approach the Yucatan coast of Mexico by the end of this week.
Follow our channel WhatsApp. Receive the information from CubaNet on your cell phone through Telegram.
2024-07-04 15:10:58
#Hurricane #Beryl #downgraded #hours