Carribean: Casualties, damage, and power outages reported across parts of the Caribbean as of early July 5 following the passage of Hurricane Beryl /update 1

Disruptions are ongoing across parts of the Windward Islands, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands as of early July 5 following the passage of Hurricane Beryl across the region. The storm system passed through the Windward Islands as a Category 4 hurricane June 30-July 1 and made landfall over Carriacou Island early July 1 before heading west-northwestward away from the islands into the Caribbean Sea. Beryl briefly strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane July 2 before weakening back into a Category 4 storm as it skirted the southern coast of Jamaica on the afternoon of July 3. The storm system weakened further as it passed south of the Cayman Islands July 4.

Beryl has caused widespread flooding and power outages across the region. Thousands of people remain in temporary shelters across St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, and Grenada, where casualties and severe damage have been reported. Recovery operations are ongoing in many areas to restore power, water, road access, and other essential services. As of early July 5, authorities in Grenada have reported two fatalities on the island of Carriacou and one on Grenada Island. Severe damage has been reported across the Carriacou and Petit Martinique islands. A state of emergency remains in place across Grenada through at least July 7. Authorities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have confirmed at least one storm-related fatality. Around ninety percent of buildings on Union Island have been damaged or destroyed and widespread damage is also expected to have occurred on Canouan and Mayreau islands. Damage assessments are ongoing but power and communication outages triggered by the storm are hampering response and recovery efforts.

At least two people have been killed in Jamaica, with widespread structural damage, downed power lines, and blocked roads with debris reported; damage has been particularly severe in the country's southern parishes, including Manchester and St. Elizabeth parishes. Over 1,400 people in Jamaica have been displaced. Power outages affected more than 400,000 customers across Jamaica (i.e., about 60 percent of all electricity customers in the country) overnight July 3-4; and water and telecommunications services have also been disrupted. Officials were continuing to conduct damage assessments as of July 4, and it may take some time before the full extent of the storm's impact is confirmed. Some minor flooding and damage have been reported in the Cayman Islands and around 3,000 people in eastern parts of Grand Cayman experienced power outages due to the passing of the storm.

Disruptions are also ongoing across parts of the region further from the direct path of the storm's center. Flooding, landslides, minor damage, and water and power outages have been reported in parts of Saint Lucia. Beryl disrupted power to around 10,000 people on Martinique and to customers in parts of Tobago Island in Trinidad and Tobago. Minor flooding and damage, have been reported in Barbados, including over 200 damaged or destroyed boats.

Businesses and many other operations shut down across the region and thousands of people were being housed in emergency shelters as the storm approached. Flights across the region were severely affected with Sangster International (MBJ), Norman Manley International (KIN), and Ian Fleming International (OCJ) airports suspending flight operations as the storm approached. Airports are generally expected to resume operations by July 5; however, some flight schedules remain altered and it may take some time for airlines to clear the backlog of passengers from the previous disruptions.

Protracted transport and business disruptions are almost certain as emergency crews continue recovery efforts; utility disruptions will probably occur over the coming days and weeks. Shortages of fuel and other essential goods are likely. Driving conditions may be difficult on rural routes and regional highways.