Caribbean islands are under threat as Hurricane Beryl strengthened into an "extremely dangerous" category 4 storm on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The NHC added that "life-threatening winds and storm surge expected to begin in the Windward Islands this morning". On Sunday Beryl became the earliest Category 4 on record in the Atlantic Ocean and the only ever Category 4 to hit in the month of June.
Locations set to be most affected include Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenada, Tobago, and the Grenadines with a hurricane warning put in place across each of them. Thousands of lives are at risk as people are urged to find shelter from winds of up to a potential 130mph .
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Elsewhere, the NHC listed a tropical storm warning in Martinique, Trinidad and St. Lucia with a tropical storm watch across the 'south coast of Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the border with Haiti' and the 'south coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d'Hainault.'
Other areas that could be impacted by Beryl include the Lesser Antilles, Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean. These locations, according to the NHC, should "closely monitor the progress" of the hurricane as 'additional watches or warnings may be required.
The NHC noted that 'the center of Beryl is expected to move across the Windward Islands this morning and across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea late today through Wednesday' and 'maximum sustained winds have increased to near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts.' Worryingly, the center added that 'Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as its core moves through the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean.' But it went on to say 'some weakening' is expected in the central Caribbean by midweek, though Beryl is 'forecast to remain a hurricane '.
Dozens of flights across the Caribbean were canceled on Sunday as many businesses also shut down in preparation for the imminent hurricane, reports the BBC , as airports in Barbados, Grenada and Saint Lucia temporarily closed down. More than 400 people were also being housed in hurricane shelters across Barbados on Sunday night. The country's Chief Shelter Warden, Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, told CBC News : “I am pleased that people are using the shelters, if they are not comfortable at their homes, it is best to go to a shelter.
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A state of emergency was issued in Grenada by Grenadian Governor General Cecile La Grenade until Tuesday morning as businesses were ordered to close bar the police, hospitals, prisons, waste disposal and ports. Other Caribbean leaders have warned people to take heed of Beryl, with Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, saying, "it is not a joke."
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He reminded people about past hurricanes in the Caribbean that have caused complete devastation. Gonsalves added that he was taking shelter himself in his official residence's basement. "The roof, certainly the old part of the roof, may not survive winds at a 150mph (241 km/h). I am making preparations to go downstairs," he said.
While the Barbados prime minister, Mia Mottley, also warned people to be ready and alert for the heavy winds. "We need to be ready. You and I know when these things happen, it is better to plan for the worst and pray for the best. Do not let your guard down."
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