Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, ravaged a new swath of the Caribbean before heading towards Mexico. The storm left a trail of destruction, flattening islands and inundating communities along its path.
In Jamaica, residents emerged from shelters to a scene of devastation. Farmlands were destroyed, homes damaged, and roads littered with debris and fallen utility poles. Steve Taylor, a resident of Mitchell Town, described the situation as “the whole place mash up,” reflecting the widespread destruction.
The farming region of St. Elizabeth, known as Jamaica’s breadbasket, bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green noted that southwest St. Elizabeth faced complete devastation, underscoring the severity of the situation.
Despite the significant damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, Jamaican officials expressed gratitude that the destruction was not as severe as anticipated. Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized that while the damage was substantial, Jamaica was fortunate to have been spared the worst of the storm’s wrath.
