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Jamaica + 8 more

Caribbean – Hurricane Beryl : ETC Situation Report #01 Reporting period: 01/07/2024 to 04/07/2024

Attachments

Hurricane Beryl―the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic in the month of June―formed on 30 June as a Category-4 hurricane and swept across the Caribbean, impacting multiple island nations. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is leading coordinated efforts, supported by National Emergency Management Coordinators, for the response which commenced with initial rapid needs assessments on 02 July. The ETC is coordinating with its partners globally and on the ground to assess and respond to ICT needs, through CDEMA.

Highlights

• The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is leading coordinated efforts, supported by National Emergency Management Coordinators―to response to the impact of Hurricane Beryl―commencing with initial rapid needs assessments on 02 July

• An inter-agency ICT coordinator deployed to Bridgetown, Barbados on 03 July and is expected to arrive to Saint Vincent on 05 July, to initiate coordination of ICT local actors and partners in the provision of shared communications services in support of CDEMA and the National Disaster Management Offices (NDMOs).

• Several global ETC partners, including the Government of Luxembourg and Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) are mobilising personnel and ICT equipment in the most affected areas―following the impact of Hurricane Beryl―and in support of United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) efforts. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)-led Disaster Connectivity Map (DCM) was activated to support responders with near real-time information on telecommunications connectivity status in Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Situation overview

Hurricane Beryl―the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic in the month of June―formed on 30 June as a Category-4 hurricane and swept through the south-east Caribbean from the early hours of 01 July. Hurricane Beryl caused widespread damage, destruction, power outages and disruption to water supplies and telecommunications. After hitting Barbados with high winds and storm surge, on 01 July, the hurricane continued its path, causing further damage to Saint Lucia, and, more extensively, to Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 0n 03 July Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica as a deadly Category 5 storm, bringing over 12 hours of rain and extensive damage to infrastructure. As of 04 July, Hurricane Beryl is now moving through the western Caribbean with potentially devastating impact on the Cayman Islands.

The CDEMA is leading coordinated efforts, supported by National Emergency Management Coordinators, for the response which commenced with initial rapid needs assessments on 02 July.