As AccuWeather accurately predicted well ahead of all other known sources, Hurricane Beryl formed last week in the Atlantic and rapidly intensified into a major hurricane (packing winds of Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) as it impacted the Windward Islands. Beryl is the strongest hurricane to develop this early in the season in this region of the Atlantic basin. Now, AccuWeather hurricane experts expect significant impacts in parts of the Caribbean this week from the hurricane, after producing devastating impacts in the Windward Islands today.
By Wednesday, the storm will threaten southern Hispaniola and Jamaica before it reaches part of Mexico by Friday.
The hurricane continue bringing heavy, flooding rainfall, damaging winds and a storm surge to the Windward Islands into Monday evening.. This can lead to life-threatening flooding, mudslides, widespread power outages and significant property damage.
The storm is forecast to track west-northwest through the Caribbean Sea early this week. Jamacia is the next island in Beryl's path. AccuWeather expert meteorologists say the center of Hurricane Beryl is expected to pass to the south of Jamaica on Wednesday as a Category 2 hurricane, but it still has the potential to bring significant impacts.
Due to impacts from rain, wind and storm surge, Beryl is a 2 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes for Jamaica. Significant wind damage to small buildings and trees, as well as power outages and property damage from coastal inundation, are all expected Wednesday into Wednesday night. In contrast to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpactTM Scale is based on a broad range of important factors. To better communicate a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm on lives and livelihoods, the scale covers not only wind speed but also flooding rain, storm surge, and economic damage and loss. Some of these hazards, such as inland flooding and storm surge in many storms, result in more deaths and economic loss than wind.
If impacts occur, they will not be felt in the United States until at least July 6, with the greatest chance from Corpus Christi, Texas, south. Even with a landfall in northern Mexico this weekend, there is the potential for downpours into southern Texas.
Due to impacts from rain and wind, Hurricane Beryl is a 4 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes in the Lesser Antilles and 2 in Jamaica. In contrast to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpactTM Scale is based on a broad range of important factors. To better communicate a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm on lives and livelihoods, the scale covers not only wind speed but also flooding rain, storm surge, and economic damage and loss. Some of these hazards, such as inland flooding and storm surge in many storms, result in more deaths and economic loss than wind.
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