A clearer picture has emerged of the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Beryl as it swept across the Windward Islands, leaving devastation and at least seven fatalities in its wake.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency reported that at least three islands in the Grenadine chain — situated between St. Vincent and Grenada — experienced more than 90% destruction of homes and buildings. This devastation is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to coordinate disaster response across the Caribbean, including Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Hurricane Beryl, still holding its Category 4 status, approached Jamaica’s coast and was projected to reach the Cayman Islands and then the Yucatan Peninsula. The hurricane brought sustained winds of over 150 mph, and even higher gusts were expected in elevated areas.
Elizabeth Riley, the executive director of the disaster management agency, emphasized that damage estimates for the Windwards, where Beryl made landfall over Carriacou, are preliminary. The Caribbean community is grappling with this significant impact, and a subsequent tropical wave complicated recovery efforts.
Insights from Grenada’s Prime Minister on Carriacou
After touring the devastation from the air, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell conveyed the unprecedented destruction on Carriacou and Petite Martinique. He commented on the overwhelming level of damage, likening it to an apocalypse with total ruin of buildings, agriculture, and the natural environment.
Prime Minister Mitchell highlighted the severe impairment of Carriacou’s vegetation, mangroves, marinas, electrical grid, and communication systems. Despite the grim scene, he found hope in the volunteers who arrived by boat to provide relief.
Beryl’s Path of Destruction
Elizabeth Riley provided a list of areas affected by Hurricane Beryl:
Carriacou, Grenada
Petite Martinique, Grenada
Canouan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Mayreau, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Palm Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Barbados
St. Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Dominica
Grenada
Regarding Grenada, Prime Minister Mitchell stated that Saint Patrick suffered severe damage, with Saint Andrew, Saint Mark, and Saint John also heavily impacted compared to Saint George and Saint David. He noted significant agricultural losses and numerous homes without roofs or completely destroyed.
