By Belize Live News Staff: Hurricane Beryl, the strongest June hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall in the Windward Islands on Monday, unleashing 150 mph winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening storm surge. The storm’s unprecedented early arrival and rapid intensification have fueled concerns about an increasingly active and dangerous hurricane season.
The Caribbean islands of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Tobago are under hurricane warnings, with a watch issued for Jamaica. Residents are grappling with widespread power outages, flooding, and significant damage to infrastructure.
Meteorologists attribute Beryl’s rapid intensification to unusually warm ocean temperatures, a phenomenon linked to climate change. Experts warn that these conditions are likely to fuel a hyperactive hurricane season, with forecasts predicting as many as 17 to 25 named storms.
While Belize lies outside of Beryl’s direct path, the storm’s severity has put the nation on high alert. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is urging citizens to review their hurricane preparedness plans and remain vigilant. The tourism industry is also closely monitoring the situation, as potential travel disruptions could impact the region’s economy.
This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.