Hurricane Beryl unleashed devastating winds and heavy rain on Carriacou, a small island in Grenada, causing widespread damage and destruction. Photo: VI Consortium

The NOAA Hurricane Hunters report maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, classifying Beryl as a Category 5 hurricane. While fluctuations in strength are likely, Beryl is expected to remain near major hurricane intensity as it approaches Jamaica on Wednesday. Additional weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean. Photo: Internet Source

Union Island in the Grenadines was particularly hard-hit, with 90 per cent of the housing stock damaged, some homes losing roofs or being completely destroyed. Widespread damage has also been reported in the Carriacou Islands in Grenada, with drone footage showing numerous homes with destroyed roofs. Barbados experienced significant impacts from the storm, although it did not suffer a direct hit.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

• Jamaica

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• South coast of the Dominican Republic from Punta Palenque westward to the border with Haiti
• South coast of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Anse d'Hainault

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area, typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. A Tropical Storm Warning indicates that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Cayman Islands and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean should closely monitor Beryl's progress. Additional watches or warnings may be required later today.

Despite Beryl's significant impact on the central Caribbean, the forecast has not changed much for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Residents can expect an increase in showers and gusty winds Tuesday, with the possibility of strong wind gusts accompanying the passing rains. Following Beryl's passage, Saharan dust is expected to move in on Wednesday, followed by another tropical wave on Thursday, which has of Tuesday morning had a 30 percent chance of becoming the next tropical cyclone of the season.

 The main impact of Beryl in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will be the deterioration of marine and coastal conditions. A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect on Tuesday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. AST for St. Croix, Vieques, and all of the southern coast of Puerto Rico due to breaking waves up to 17 feet. Seas are expected to reach 8 to 15 feet, especially as the system passes to the south on Tuesday.

As of 2:00 a.m. AST, the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 14.2 North, longitude 65.8 West, moving west-northwest at 22 mph. The NOAA Hurricane Hunters report maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, classifying Beryl as a Category 5 hurricane. While fluctuations in strength are likely, Beryl is expected to remain near major hurricane intensity as it approaches Jamaica on Wednesday. Additional weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles. 

Wind: Hurricane conditions are expected to reach Jamaica by Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions expected along the south coast of Hispaniola later today. Storm Surge: Storm surge could raise water levels by 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of Jamaica and by 1 to 3 feet along the southern coast of Hispaniola.

Rainfall: Beryl is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with localized maxima of 12 inches, in portions of Jamaica on Wednesday. This rainfall may cause flash flooding. Rainfall from Beryl's outer bands may impact parts of Hispaniola today into Wednesday, with 2 to 6 inches of rain possible.