Carribean: Casualties, damage, and power outages reported across the Windward Islands as of early July 2 following the passage of Hurricane Beryl

Disruptions are ongoing across parts of the Windward Islands as of early July 2 following the passage of Hurricane Beryl across the region. The storm system passed through the region as a Category 4 hurricane on 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 has caused widespread flooding and power outages across the region. Thousands of people remain in temporary shelters across St Vincent and the Grenadines 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 2, 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. It may take some time before the full extent of the storm's impact is confirmed; the death toll could rise in the coming hours and days.

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. Around 10,000 people are without power in Martinique, and utility providers are working to restore power on parts of Tobago Island in Trinidad and Tobago. Minor flooding and damage have been reported in Barbados.

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 after Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), St. Vincent and the Grenadine's Argyle International Airport (SVD), Barbados's Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), and Saint Lucia's Hewanorra International (UVF) and George F. L. Charles (SLU) airports all suspended operations during the passing of the storm. Airports are generally beginning to resume operations as of July 2; 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.