Hurricane Beryl: Life-threatening winds, rain to affect Jamaica on Wednesday

   

Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge to Jamaica, starting Wednesday morning.

 

The Meteorological Service says the forecast is for Beryl to weaken Tuesday, but to still be near major hurricane intensity as it passes the island's south coast.

 

Principal Director of the Meteorological Service Evan Thompson says Jamaicans have less than 24 hours to prepare for the effects of the system. 

 

"We are expecting that after daybreak we should be starting to experience the rainfall from the system and that will continue right throughout the day.

Also, we're looking to experience the stronger winds. It will start with some gusts and then gradually those gusts will become sustained winds that will reach to some force, possibly hurricane force, especially over southern parts of the island. 

 

"All of that plus storm surge. If you look very close to the coast, you're going to be seeing where the winds are pushing the waves of the sea unto the land, and that could be also devastating for you. There are communities that have already been devastated by that kind of scenario in previous hurricanes. And so if you are anywhere along the coast, if you have structures there, be very careful to move away from the coast when the hurricane is passing," he advised. 

 

Mr. Thompson said there will be significant rainfall that will cause flooding. 

 

"That is what is likely to take place as long as the system moves close enough to Jamaica. And even if it is some distance from the island actually, we will also have those rain bands that encircle that centre. Those rain bands are going to bring lots of rainfall to the island. I'm sure that Hispaniola will be experiencing that today and the centre is not moving anywhere as close to them as it is expected to get to Jamaica," he warned. 

 

The Category 5 storm is moving toward the west-northwest near 22 miles or 35 kilometres per hour.

 

Beryl is forecast to continue moving rapidly west-northwestward and turn westward by Thursday.