Hurricane Beryl, the first of the 2024 Atlantic season, intensified into a “very dangerous” Category 3 storm this Sunday morning (30), as it moved towards Barbados and the Windward Islands, promising destructive winds and the increase in potentially life-threatening storms, according to the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The National Hurricane Center says Beryl is expected to be an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 hurricane when it hits the Windward Islands late Sunday or Monday morning (1st). The timing of the first hurricane of the season is unusual, given that the average date of the first hurricane is August 11.
“Devastating wind damage is predicted where Beryl’s eyewall moves across parts of the Windward Islands,” the NHC said. Additionally, a “life-threatening storm surge will raise water and tide levels in landflow areas near where Beryl makes landfall in the hurricane warning area.”
More accurate data on the storm’s intensity is expected once aircraft carry out direct observations this Sunday.
The hurricane is rapidly strengthening, with winds increasing from 56 km/h to 120 km/h in less than 24 hours. Rapid intensification is defined as an increase in wind speed of 56 km/h or more in a 24-hour period.
“We anticipate rapid intensification and expect Beryl to become a major hurricane before hitting places like Barbados and the Windward Islands and continue to be a powerful hurricane as it moves into the eastern and central Caribbean as we head into the early portions of next week,” Mike Brennan, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, told Fredricka Whitfield of the CNN on Saturday (29).
Residents in places with hurricane warnings should be prepared for major storm impacts, Brennan said. Beryl brings the risk of heavy rain, destructive hurricane-force winds, storm surge and dangerous waves. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches could cause localized flooding in the Windward Islands Sunday night and Monday, according to the center.
Hurricane warnings are in effect for Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Tobago. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Martinique and a tropical storm watch is in effect for Dominica.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
