Hurricane Beryl, which has caused widespread damage from the Caribbean to Mexico and now the United States, has once again highlighted the urgent need for robust early warning systems, the UN said on Monday. World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Beryl is the most powerful hurricane that formed in the Atlantic during the month of June and rapidly intensified from a tropical depression to a Category 4 storm, briefly reaching Category 5 strength with winds of up to 240 km per hour.
It made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday local time, bringing dangerous storm surge and a risk of flash flooding.
According to the WMO’s regional hurricane center in Miami, managed by the U.S. National Hurricane Center, it is expected to weaken rapidly as it moves into the country.
Extreme vigilance is required
The agency also warned of a very intense hurricane season, with up to 25 named storms expected through November. Of those, eight to 13 could become hurricanes.
“We need to be especially vigilant this year due to near-record ocean warmth in the Atlantic hurricane-forming region and the shift to La Niña conditions, which together create the conditions for increased storm formation,” said the organization’s deputy secretary-general.
“This is why WMO and its partners have prioritized early warning measures on small islands under the international Early Warnings for All initiative,” added Ko Barrett.
Severe damage in Jamaica
As access improves, the full impact of Hurricane Beryl is becoming clear.
UN humanitarian teams in Jamaica, where the hurricane made landfall at 5pm on 3 July, are reporting a “sobering picture of widespread damage and destruction”.
More than 250 roads and critical infrastructure have been severely damaged by falling trees, flooding and storm surges. Many houses have lost their roofs, according to a humanitarian bulletin released on Sunday.
“[Un equipo de la ONU] “They visited Old Harbor Bay, Portland Cottage, Rocky Point, Alligator Pond and Treasure Beach. They witnessed many families in need of water, food, cleaning and rebuilding supplies for their homes, as well as psychological support.”
An estimated 160,000 people, including 37,000 children, are in need of humanitarian aid.
Devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl on Carriacou Island, Grenada.
Significant destruction
In the Eastern Caribbean, where Hurricane Beryl first made landfall on July 1, islands have reported “severe damage” and “significant destruction.”
“Exact figures remain a challenge as assessments are ongoing amid damage to logistics, energy and communications services, as well as power outages,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in a bulletin, also published on Sunday.
Damage to small airstrips and reliance on boats are hampering logistical efforts, complicating assessments and aid delivery.
In Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as areas in the north, are among the worst affected, with limited public transport links between Carriacou and the mainland.
Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines is also severely affected. Authorities are housing vulnerable people in tourist facilities and carrying out assessments. An undetermined number of people have evacuated the island.
The UN responds quickly
Meanwhile, UN teams are supporting national and regional authorities in ongoing assessment and assistance missions.
Specialized United Nations disaster assessment and coordination teams have also been deployed in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
In Jamaica, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) The agency has finalised its response plan and submitted funding requests to key humanitarian donors to meet the immediate needs of affected children and families. The agency is also working with other agencies under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator to prepare a joint appeal to raise emergency funds.
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