Satellite imagery provided by GOES-16 satellite shows Hurricane Beryl over the Caribbean Sea, July 1, 2024, in this screen grab taken from a handout video.
The prime minister confirmed one death, and said more fatalities could be confirmed in the coming days. The NHC estimates that the massive weather system is moving toward the west-northwest at a speed of 35kph. "We Jamaicans don't take things serious," said Standford Pusey, as he showed off items secured with plastic tarps.
The unusually early timing and rapid intensification of the storm is partly due to warmer ocean temperatures, scientists say.