Residents of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique are urged to make last-minute preparations as Hurricane Beryl approaches.
The tri-island state was placed under a hurricane warning at 8 pm on Saturday, along with Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadine.
Eye of the Storm: Beryl’s path and impact
Meteorological experts, including forecaster Gerard Tamar, have tracked Hurricane Beryl’s progress. Predictions indicate that the storm’s eye is set to pass through the Grenadine Islands early Monday.
Beyond the hurricane’s winds, heavy rainfall is a significant concern.
Current models forecast rainfall amounts reaching 100 millimeters in the storm’s path, posing a risk of severe flooding.
Government response and precautions
In response to the imminent threat, Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, addressed the nation, emphasizing the urgency of preparation.
He highlighted that the hurricane’s trajectory would likely affect the northern regions of Grenada more than the southern parts.
Areas such as Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and the parishes of St. Patrick, St. Andrew, and St. Mark were marked as high risk.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of vigilance and urged the public to adhere to safety guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA).
He also called for calm, urging citizens to avoid spreading panic.
Essential services and community preparations
As part of the emergency preparations, water service interruptions were announced to begin at 9 pm on Sunday. Residents have been advised to store adequate water supplies beforehand.
Additionally, supermarkets received requests to extend their hours on Sunday to facilitate extra purchases of necessary supplies.
Shelter and school closures
Emergency shelters were scheduled to open by noon on Sunday, with many located in schools that will serve dual functions in the crisis.
It was also indicated that school sessions are unlikely on Monday, and further announcements regarding work schedules will be made as the situation develops.
