Zoe Mckey, Staff Writer
Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 4 storm, was rapidly approaching Jamaica on Wednesday, prompting islanders to hastily prepare. The storm, which had already caused significant damage and claimed at least six lives in the southeast Caribbean, led Kingston residents to board up windows, secure boats, and take down advertising boards. Pauline Lynch, a resident of Kingston, expressed her concerns as she stocked up on food and water, hoping for the safety of all Jamaicans as the storm neared.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, predicting Beryl to remain at or near major-hurricane strength despite slight weakening. The forecast indicated the storm would pass near or over Jamaica on Wednesday, near the Cayman Islands on Thursday, and reach Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on Friday. Jamaica declared a state of emergency and disaster zone status ahead of Beryl’s impact, with evacuations, curfews, and disaster declarations in effect to mitigate potential damage and ensure public safety.
