The National Hurricane Center said Sunday that Hurricane Beryl had become an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm as it continued to creep closer to the Windward Islands and bring life-threatening winds and storm surge to the Caribbean.
Beryl is expected to strengthen to a Category 4 storm on Sunday afternoon and further intensify as it moves westward across the Atlantic Ocean.
The center of the hurricane is expected to cross the Windward Islands early Monday, with hurricane-force conditions, including heavy rain, expected Sunday night, the agency said.
The Windward Islands include Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Martinique. As of Sunday morning, Beryl was about 355 miles east-southeast of Barbados, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. It was moving west at about 21 mph.
Hurricane warnings have been issued for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Tobago, with hurricane conditions possible from early Monday morning. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Martinique, and a tropical storm watch has been issued for Dominica and Trinidad, all of which may reach tropical storm conditions Sunday night.
“Catastrophic wind damage is possible where Beryl’s eye moves over some of the Windward Islands, with St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada at its centre at greatest risk,” the hurricane centre said.
A life-threatening storm surge could raise water levels in hurricane watch zones by six to nine feet above normal tides and send destructive waves along coastlines.
Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are expected in Barbados and the Windward Islands from Sunday into Monday, with flooding possible in some areas, especially in the Grenadines, where up to 10 inches of rain is expected.
The Saint Lucia Tourism Board has announced a nationwide lockdown following a hurricane warning, which will take effect at 8:30pm local time on Sunday and will not be lifted until a “clearance” is issued.
“Please stay indoors and away from glass windows as tropical hurricane-force winds hit the area,” the tourism bureau said in a Facebook post. “All individuals are urged to avoid going into the ocean. Failure to follow this request puts lives at risk, including emergency responders.”
The committee also encouraged tourists to contact their airlines to book flights home.
The Royal St. Lucia Police Force has cancelled all police leave in preparation for Beryl.
“All officers are requested to report to their nearest police station by 6pm today, Sunday 30th June 2024,” the police force said on Facebook.
