There are 2.8 million people living in Jamaica in the Caribbean. They can be hit hard by the extreme hurricane “Beryl”, which is now hitting the island full force. It brings with it strong gusts of wind, heavy rainfall and high waves. It is expected that it will wreak havoc for several hours on Wednesday evening. “Beryl” has been downgraded to category 4, the second highest level, writes AFP. It still threatens life and health. The citizens of Jamaica have steeled themselves. The authorities have turned on the crisis apparatus. They have prepared 870 shelters to house vulnerable Jamaicans. – The next 48 hours will be decisive for the country, says Local Minister Desmond McKenzie to CNN. He adds that this is the first major hurricane to hit Jamaica in 40 years. McKenzie points out that climate change contributes to the extreme weather. – Everything is destroyed “Beryl” has been wreaking havoc in the Caribbean Sea all week. On Monday, it hit several islands in the southern Caribbean. Particularly hard hit was the island of Carriacou, a Grenadian island with 6,000 inhabitants. At least two people are said to have lost their lives, according to AFP. The authorities say that 90 percent of all homes are damaged or destroyed. Norwegian Emil is on a sailing trip in the Caribbean. He witnessed great destruction at Carriacou. – I don’t even know where to start. Everything is broken. Everything, he says. He is modeled after “Beryl”. But he is most concerned with drawing attention to the major consequences after the hurricane, and a local population that is struggling. From calm wind to full hurricane in two minutes Emil says that the hurricane hit in two sequences. The first part hit hard. – The tin roof of the guest house flew off, and you heard things flying into the building. It was raining heavily inside the guest house I stayed at. Many had to move to another emergency shelter. Eventually it calmed down, before the hurricane struck again. This time even harder. – It went from calm winds to full hurricane in two minutes, says Emil. – Carriacou is completely destroyed. I have driven around and heard stories from many people who have been to the island, says Emil. He says that the infrastructure on the island has been destroyed. Residents are left without electricity and internet. – There is no communication. No information from the authorities. People don’t know if their families are alive. It will take a long time before they get the island rebuilt, says Emil. He says that the vast majority of houses lack roofs. – And many have been razed to the ground. I have spoken to many who are now homeless. Hospitals and schools have been destroyed. The police station is destroyed, says Emil. – Just happy to be alive He says that the residents he has spoken to are worried about how the hurricane season will continue. In the midst of all the misery, there is still one thing that has surprised Emil. – Everyone I have spoken to has been very positive. They are just happy to be alive. Everyone is very helpful to each other, he says. Your browser does not support the embedding of external content “Beryl” struck in record time, and more storms and hurricanes are expected in the future. – People cannot afford that. Almost all the houses are completely destroyed. People don’t have anywhere to go, they don’t have a roof. Hospitals and schools have been smashed. The police station is destroyed, says Emil. Now he hopes that Jamaica will not suffer as badly from “Beryl” Published 03/07/2024, at 21.48
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Great destruction after “Beryl” – now it has hit Jamaica – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
