1. Situation Overview
The Hurricane Warning is still in effect for Jamaica, while Hurricane Beryl remains close to the southwestern coast of Jamaica. This means that conditions associated with a hurricane are expected to continue affecting sections of the island. At 7:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 17.5 degrees North, longitude 77.6 degrees West. This is about 115 km (72 miles) south-southeast of Negril Point, Jamaica. Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 31 km/h (20 mph) and this general motion should continue through this evening, followed by a turn more toward the west tonight or Thursday.
On this forward track, the centre of Hurricane Beryl will continue past the southwestern coast of Jamaica this evening and then near or over the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday. Maximum sustained winds are near 220 km/h (140 mph), with higher gusts; and Beryl remains a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next day or two and Beryl is forecast to be at or near major hurricane intensity as it moves away from Jamaica today and near to the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 75 km (45 miles) from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 295 km (185 miles). There are confirmed reports of sustained winds reaching tropical storm force over sections of Jamaica, as well as gusts to hurricane force in some areas.
Rainfall associated with Hurricane Beryl will continue across sections of mainly central and western parishes, and may be accompanied by strong, gusty winds as the eye moves away from the west coast of the island. Rising water levels will continue to affect coastal areas of southwestern parishes while Beryl remains in the vicinity and all small craft operators are urged to remain in port until sea conditions return to normal.
Hurricane Beryl made landfall at 5:00PM, July 3,2024