'Life-threatening winds': Beryl becomes 'major' hurricane, Caribbean on high alert

Hurricane Beryl

has intensified into the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, posing a significant threat to the southeast

Caribbean

. The US national hurricane center (NHC) announced late Saturday that Beryl, currently about 595 miles east of Barbados, is expected to escalate into a "dangerous

major hurricane

" by the time it reaches the Windward Islands late Sunday into Monday.

"Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area beginning Sunday night," it said, warning of heavy rain, flooding, and "

life-threatening winds

and storm surge" that could raise water levels as much as seven feet (2.1 meters) above normal.
Forecasters have issued hurricane warnings for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Tropical storm warnings or watches are in effect for Martinique, Tobago, and Dominica. Residents in the Barbadian capital, Bridgetown, have begun preparing, with long lines at gas stations and crowded supermarkets as people stock up on essentials.
Beryl's maximum sustained winds have increased to 85 mph, with higher gusts expected.
Rapid strengthening and potential impact

The NHC predicts that Beryl will make landfall in the Windward Islands, bringing destructive winds and a life-threatening storm surge starting Sunday night. This early formation of a major hurricane is unusual for the Atlantic season, which typically runs from early June to late November. Historically, only five major hurricanes have formed before July in the Atlantic.
As Beryl approaches, the Caribbean region remains vigilant. The storm is moving west at 22 mph and is expected to drop up to six inches of rain on Barbados and nearby islands, with high surf warnings in place for waves up to 13 feet.
In addition to Beryl, a cluster of thunderstorms following its path has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression by next week, raising further concerns for Caribbean leaders.