Source: Joe Raedle / Getty
Residents in Jamaica are picking up the pieces after Hurricane Beryl ripped through the Caribbean Islands, leaving devastation in its wake.
Thousands of Jamaicans were left without power after the Category four storm meandered along the island’s southern coast on the July 4th holiday, bringing 12 hours of non-stop rain and heavy winds.
Jamaican energy provider JPS has reported that 65% – or about 400,000 of its customers were without power Thursday morning, according to the BBC.
It’s terrible. Everything’s gone. I’m in my house and I’m scared,” one resident told BBC.
Thankfully, Hurricane gusts didn’t reach expected levels, but hours and heavy rain have caused flooding all over the island.
On Thursday, morning an island-wide curfew was lifted as the storm weakened and moved towards Mexico and the Cayman Islands.
According to the BBC, Hurricane Beryl killed at least 10 people during its devastation in the Caribbean Islands. There were 3 reported deaths in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Venezuela, while Jamaican officials have confirmed one death centered around the hurricane’s destruction. It has also been reported that the storm destroyed almost every home on two small islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Mayreau and Union.
Elizabeth Riley, the executive director of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency said the entire island of Canouan, estimated at 12,600 people, were affected by the hurricane, with 90% of their homes being severely damaged or destroyed. Union Island, with a small population of 3,000, also saw massive devastation as 98% of the buildings, including houses, were damaged.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has also reported that at least three islands report more than 90% of the homes and buildings either destroyed or severely damaged,
King Charles III, who is also monarch in several Caribbean nations, said on Thursday he was “profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction” left by Hurricane Beryl.
The UN has unlocked $4m (£3.1m) from its emergency response fund to help the recovery in Jamaica, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness thanked “first responders, essential services, security forces and good Samaritans who have assisted others in this time of crisis” on his X account.
Beryl became the earliest category five Atlantic hurricane in records going back around 100 years – thought to be as a result of warmer sea surface temperatures.
The storm shocked meteorologists with how fast it intensified – taking just 42 hours to go from a tropical depression to a major hurricane.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Beryl is expected to hit the Yucatan Peninsula by early on Friday. It is also expected to bring strong winds, dangerous storm surges and even more dangerous waves.
Below are photos of the destruction in the Caribbean from Hurricane Beryl:
1. Hurricane Beryl Hits Barbados
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A boy clears rock from the street as it gets flooded after the hurricane Beryl passes in the parish of Saint James, Barbados, near to Bridgetown, Barbados on July 1, 2024. Hurricane Beryl plowed toward the southeast Caribbean early Monday as officials warned residents to seek shelter ahead of powerful winds and swells expected from the Category 3 storm. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Hurricane Beryl Hits Barbados
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People wade through the water in the flooded Moscu neighbourhood, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, on July 10, 2018 after heavy downpours from Tropical Storm Beryl. – The National Office of Meteorology (Onamet) reported on Tuesday that tropical storm Beryl is located in the eastern portion of the Dominican territory, moving rapidly to the west/northwest. Beryl, formed into a Category One hurricane on Friday east of the Lesser Antilles, is the first of the 2018 Atlantic season, according the US National Hurricane Center. (Photo by Erika SANTELICES / AFP) (Photo by ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images)
3. Hurricane Beryl Hits Barbados
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A man on his motorbike is seen in the flooded Moscu neighbourhood, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, on July 10, 2018 after heavy downpours from Tropical Storm Beryl. – The National Office of Meteorology (Onamet) reported on Tuesday that tropical storm Beryl is located in the eastern portion of the Dominican territory, moving rapidly to the west/northwest. Beryl, formed into a Category One hurricane on Friday east of the Lesser Antilles, is the first of the 2018 Atlantic season, according the US National Hurricane Center. (Photo by Erika SANTELICES / AFP) (Photo by ERIKA SANTELICES/afp/AFP via Getty Images)
4. Hurricane Beryl Hits Barbados
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People wade through the water in the flooded Moscu neighbourhood, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, on July 10, 2018 after heavy downpours from Tropical Storm Beryl. – The National Office of Meteorology (Onamet) reported on Tuesday that tropical storm Beryl is located in the eastern portion of the Dominican territory, moving rapidly to the west/northwest. Beryl, formed into a Category One hurricane on Friday east of the Lesser Antilles, is the first of the 2018 Atlantic season, according the US National Hurricane Center. (Photo by Erika SANTELICES / AFP) (Photo credit should read ERIKA SANTELICES/AFP via Getty Images)
5. Hurricane Beryl Hits Barbados
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A worker removes debris with a backhoe after the passage of Hurricane Beryl in Enriquillo, Dominican Republic, on July 3, 2024. Powerful Hurricane Beryl churned toward Jamaica on Wednesday with dangerous winds and sea surge, as residents braced for a storm that killed seven people and caused destruction in the Caribbean. (Photo by Melbin DOMINGO / AFP) (Photo by MELBIN DOMINGO/AFP via Getty Images)
6. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: People purchase supplies at a grocery store as they make last-minute preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl on July 03, 2024 in Kingston, Jamaica. Category 4 storm Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean.
7. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: Andrew McKenzie works on placing cinderblocks along a roof as he makes last-minute preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl on July 03, 2024 in Kingston, Jamaica. Category 4 storm Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
8. JAMAICA-CARIBBEAN-WEATHER-HURRICANE-BERYL
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People watch as waves crash along the beach in Kingston, Jamaica, before the arrival of Hurricane Beryl on July 3, 2024. Beryl churned towards Jamaica on July 3, with forecasters warning of potentially deadly winds and storm surge, after at least seven people were killed and widespread destruction was reported across the southeastern Caribbean. The powerful hurricane, which is rare so early in the Atlantic season, was expected to pass over Jamaica around midday as a “life-threatening” Category 4 storm, meteorologists said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
9. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: Andrew Lewis looks out as waves crash along a beach near his home as Hurricane Beryl spins offshore on July 03, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Category 4 storm Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
10. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: An empty street as people remain indoors as wind and rain from Hurricane Beryl is felt on July 03, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
11. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: A person makes their way through the wind and rain from Hurricane Beryl on July 03, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
12. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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KINGSTON, JAMAICA – JULY 03: Waves crash ashore as Hurricane Beryl passes through the area on July 03, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
13. Hurricane Beryl batters northern Jamaica after killing 7 people in southeast Caribbean
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MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – JULY 3: A screen grab captured from a video shows heavy rains and strong winds from Hurricane Beryl pounding the coast of Jamaica after the powerful storm devastated parts of the southeast Caribbean, where it left a trail of death and destruction in Montego Bay, Jamaica on July 3, 2024. Several people were evacuated as part of the disaster management response. (Photo by Curtis Kitchen/Anadolu via Getty Images)
14. TOPSHOT-JAMAICA-CARIBBEAN-WEATHER-HURRICANE-BERYL
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TOPSHOT – Residents look at a damaged drain in Shooters Hill, Jamaica, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on July 4, 2024. Beryl powered towards Mexico and the Cayman Islands early on July 4, threatening strong winds and a storm surge after battering Jamaica’s southern coast. Beryl weakened to a Category 3 storm overnight, sustaining winds of 125 miles (200kms) an hour, but is forecast to be “at or near major hurricane intensity” while it passes by the Caymans, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
15. JAMAICA-CARIBBEAN-WEATHER-HURRICANE-BERYL
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Police drive through floodwaters in Kingston, Jamaica, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on July 4, 2024. Beryl powered towards Mexico and the Cayman Islands early on July 4, threatening strong winds and a storm surge after battering Jamaica’s southern coast. Beryl weakened to a Category 3 storm overnight, sustaining winds of 125 miles (200kms) an hour, but is forecast to be “at or near major hurricane intensity” while it passes by the Caymans, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
16. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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OLD HARBOR, JAMAICA – JULY 04: Simone Francis gathers items from her home that were blown away as Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Old Harbor, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 3 storm, continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
17. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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OLD HARBOR, JAMAICA – JULY 04: Michael Lorenzo Brookfield walks through the debris of his workshop after it was damaged by wind and surge water from Hurricane Beryl as it passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Old Harbor, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl, now a Category 3 storm, continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
18. JAMAICA-CARIBBEAN-WEATHER-HURRICANE-BERYL
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A yacht named Perseverance lies stranded after reportedly being carried away by Hurricane Beryl from Port Royal south of Kingston to the Kingston Waterfront in Jamaica, on July 4, 2024. Beryl powered towards Mexico and the Cayman Islands early on July 4, threatening strong winds and a storm surge after battering Jamaica’s southern coast. Beryl weakened to a Category 3 storm overnight, sustaining winds of 125 miles (200kms) an hour, but is forecast to be “at or near major hurricane intensity” while it passes by the Caymans, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)
19. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of a home where the roof was blown off is seen after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
20. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of a home where the roof was blown off is seen after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
21. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of damaged roofs are seen on homes after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
22. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of a damaged roof is seen on a business after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
23. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: Power lines block the road after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
24. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: Josephine Martin stands in her bedroom after the roof was blown off by the winds from Hurricane Beryl as it passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
25. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: A person works on a damaged home after Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
26. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: Everton Evanks walks through his living room after the roof of the home was blown off by the winds from Hurricane Beryl as it passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
27. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of a home where the roof was damaged when Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
28. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: An aerial view of a home where the roof was damaged when Hurricane Beryl passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
29. Hurricane Beryl Lashes Over Jamaica
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SAINT ELIZABETH PARISH, JAMAICA – JULY 04: The wall to a bedroom is blown in by Hurricane Beryl as it passed through the area on July 04, 2024 in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl continues toward Mexico after passing through Caribbean islands, including Jamaica. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
