Hurricane Beryl, a relentless Category 3 storm, is ripping through the Caribbean, leaving Southern Jamaica in tatters and setting its sights on the Yucatan Peninsula. As of 11:00 AM EDT, Beryl was wreaking havoc at 19.0°N, 82.6°W, with 115 mph winds. The Cayman Islands are currently getting pummeled as Beryl barrels west-northwest at 18 mph.
Warnings and Watches
- Hurricane Warning: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun.
- Hurricane Watch: South of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, and north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche.
- Tropical Storm Warning: South of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, and north of Cancun to Campeche.
- Tropical Storm Watch: Belize coast from south of Chetumal to Belize City.
Recent Carnage
Beryl has already claimed ten lives because people didn’t heed the warnings. Fatalities in Grenada and Jamaica came from falling trees. Jamaica was left crippled on Wednesday, with 400,000 people losing power and widespread building destruction. Grenada also got trashed earlier in the week.
Expected Impacts
Winds: Hurricane-force winds extend 30 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 160 miles. The Cayman Islands will experience hell this afternoon, with the Yucatan facing the worst tonight or early Friday.
Storm Surge: Water levels will surge 2-4 feet in the Cayman Islands and 3-5 feet on the Yucatan’s east coast. Expect severe flooding and the usual chaos.
Rainfall: Anticipate 4-6 inches of rain, with up to 10 inches in isolated areas. Flash flooding is a given, because nature doesn’t care about your weekend plans.
Surf: Dangerous waves and rip currents will slam Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, the Yucatan, and soon the U.S. Gulf Coast. So, if you were planning a beach day, think again.
Texas on High Alert
After Beryl trashes the Yucatan, it’s expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and make a beeline for Texas. A high-pressure ridge over the southern U.S. is pushing Beryl, but as the ridge weakens, a trough might pull Beryl towards Texas, bringing showers and storms from North Texas to the coast. Texans, get ready — your turn might be coming.
What to Watch
- Path Over Yucatan: The storm’s path through Friday evening will determine how nasty it gets in the Gulf.
- Gulf Interaction: Both intensity and movement will dictate Texas impacts. A more northward track and a stronger Beryl could mean more rain and wind locally. A southerly track would likely reduce impacts and the storm’s overall strength.
Stay tuned for updates, as the forecast will become clearer after Beryl does its dance with the Yucatan Peninsula. The storm’s trajectory will be better understood by Friday evening into Saturday. For now, monitor trends and remain prepared. Regular updates are available on air, online, and on your First Alert Weather app.
Don’t get caught off guard. Stay safe and stay informed.