Bahamians Evacuated As Deadly Storm Beryl Bears Down On Jamaica

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JAMAICA – Hurricane Beryl is barreling towards Jamaica as a record-breaking Category 5 storm, leaving a trail of destruction in the Caribbean with at least three reported deaths so far. Just hours before the deadly storm made landfall, we spoke to a Bahamian diplomat stationed on the island. It comes as Bahamian students were evacuated ahead of the deadly storm.

That’s Jamaican journalist Ghisele Raymond-Forrest detailing the rush to get prepared ahead of Hurricane Beryl making landfall in Jamaica. Supermarkets and hardware stores witnessed a surge in activity as citizens stocked up on essential supplies such as bottled water, non-perishable food items, batteries, and emergency medical kits.

It took only 30 minutes for Beryl to tear through Grenada on Monday, blasting through buildings and knocking out power and phone service to almost all of the island’s residents. It also damaged 90 percent of homes on an island just off St. Vincent and the Grenadines, according to that nation’s prime minister.

As the storm got closer to Jamaica, the Davis administration announced they would be evacuating at least 50 students on a chartered Bahamasair flight. Raymond-Forrest says back in Jamaica, residents across the island have heeded warnings, but she admits some aren’t taking it quite as seriously.