Emergency: Meteorological Serves - Bulletin 7

 

Press Release Monday, July 1, 2024 – 11:00 p.m.:

BULLETIN No: 7

*** HURRICANE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA AS BERYL BECOMES POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE***

 

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl strengthens while moving on a track towards the island.

This means that the following dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected to affect Jamaica in 36 hours or less:

Dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves, even though winds expected may be less than hurricane force, and Average winds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph).

At 10:00 p.m. the eye of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 13.8 degrees North, longitude 64.9 degrees West. This is about 825 kilometres (510 miles) east-southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic, or 1,355 kilometres (840 miles) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 35 km/h (22mph) and is forecast to continue moving rapidly west-northwestward during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the centre of Beryl will move quickly across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea tonight through Tuesday and is forecast to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 260 km/h (160 mph) with higher gusts.  Beryl is now a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, but Beryl is expected to remain near major hurricane intensity as it moves into the central Caribbean on Tuesday and passes near Jamaica on Wednesday.  Some more weakening is expected thereafter, although Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 65 km (40 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 km (125 miles).

All small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, should by now have completed all the necessary safety precautions and are advised to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

The Meteorological Service continues to monitor the progress of Hurricane Beryl and all interests are encouraged to pay special attention to further Releases. 

The next Bulletin on this system will be issued at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.