By Belize Live News Staff: Hurricane Beryl has intensified to Category 5 as it moves towards Jamaica, causing at least one death in the Windward Islands.
The National Hurricane Center reports that this is the second Atlantic hurricane to reach Category 5 status in July, following Emily’s 2005 surge. Beryl powers across the Caribbean after bringing devastation to the Windward Islands, where at least one person is dead.
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell reported a death and a lack of assessment of the situation on Carriacou and Petite Martinique islands, with initial reports of major damage and largely down communication.
Late Monday, Beryl’s winds increased to 160 mph, with potential for strength fluctuations. Located 510 miles east-southeast of Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic, it was moving west-northwest at 22 mph and is forecasted to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday.
