Hurricane Beryl is a long-lived tropical cyclone currently active in the Gulf of Mexico. Beryl is the second named storm, first hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It is also the earliest-forming Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record. After forming on June 28 in the Main Development Region, it began rapidly intensifying as it moved west through the central tropical Atlantic. On July 1, Beryl made landfall on the island of Carriacou in Grenada as a high-end Category 4 hurricane, causing extensive damage. The hurricane intensified further as it entered the Caribbean Sea, peaking as a Category 5 hurricane early the next morning before gradually weakening to a Category 2 hurricane again on July 5, just prior to making landfall in southeastern Mexico.

Beryl caused catastrophic damage on Grenada's northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and on several of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines's southern islands such as Union Island and Canouan where many structures were damaged or destroyed. In Venezuela, three people were killed and several were missing. As of July 5, a total of 12 fatalities have been confirmed, and preliminary damage estimates are more than $5 billion.

Meteorological history

On June 25, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted a low potential for a tropical wave to eventually develop into a tropical cyclone. At the time, the wave was south of Cabo Verde, and was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. By June 26, the NHC anticipated that environmental conditions would be "unusually conducive for late June across the central and western tropical Atlantic", due in part to record-warm sea surface temperatures (SST) throughout much of the tropical Atlantic. By that time, the thunderstorms had increased and become better organized, with curved bands and some spin. By June 27, the NHC assessed a high likelihood of development. The disturbance further organized, becoming Tropical Depression Two over the central tropical Atlantic on June 28, about 1,970 km (1,225 mi) east-southeast of Barbados.

Located south of a strong subtropical ridge, the depression moved generally westward through an area of low wind shear, warm sea surface temperatures, and plenty of atmospheric moisture. As a result, the system began a period of rapid intensification. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Beryl six hours after formation, and the thunderstorms quickly organized into a central dense overcast, with a symmetric cloud pattern surrounded by rainbands. Late on June 29, Beryl intensified into a hurricane. The inner core of the thunderstorms organized into an eye, which became clear and symmetrical. Observations from the Hurricane Hunters indicated that Beryl became a major hurricane on June 30. The hurricane strengthened further into a Category 4 hurricane, attaining an initial peak intensity with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Beryl then underwent an eyewall replacement cycle and briefly weakened to a Category 3 hurricane early on July 1 but regained Category 4 strength six hours later once the cycle was completed. At 15:10 UTC the same day, Beryl made landfall in Carriacou, Grenada, with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). At 03:00 UTC the next day (July 2), Beryl further intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, peaking a few hours later with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h), while moving to the west-northwest at about 20 mph (35 km/h). Later that same day, Beryl passed south of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic, where it weakened to Category 4 strength as a result of wind shear.

Moving generally west-northwestward under the influence of the strong ridge to its north, Beryl's center passed very near the southern coast of Jamaica on the afternoon of July 3. It remained a Category 4 hurricane, despite continued westerly shear. At 06:00 UTC on July 4, while southeast of the Cayman Islands, Beryl weakened to Category 3 strength. Beryl continued to weaken, and was downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane that afternoon. Late that same day though, data from an Air Force reconnaissance team showed that Beryl had re-strengthened to a minimal Category 3 hurricane. It weakened once more to Category 2 intensity, however, a few hours later. At around 11:05 UTC on July 5, the system made landfall just northeast of Tulum, Quintana Roo, with sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h). Inland, Beryl quickly weakened into a Category 1 hurricane, and then a tropical storm a few hours later. Beryl emerged over the southern Gulf of Mexico near Progreso, Yucatán, late on July 5 as a titled 60 mph (95 km/h) tropical storm. Its movement was to the west-northwestward, still steered a mid-level ridge located over the southeastern U.S. That night and into the next day, Beryl was beset by an infusion of dry air and by persistent 17–29 mph (28–46 km/h) south-southwesterly wind shear, which kept the storm from strengthening appreciably. Even so, by the afternoon of July 6, its convective structure had improved some and had become more persistent.

Preparations

Lesser Antilles

Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Lucia were put under a hurricane warning on June 29. Tobago was also put under a hurricane warning on June 30, while Trinidad was under a tropical storm warning. Martinique was also under a tropical storm warning and a vigilance orange. Caribbean Airlines postponed several flights between Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago on June 30. Virgin Atlantic also experienced schedule disruptions.

All businesses on Barbados were ordered to be closed by 7:00 pm. The island also shut down waterlines. The India national cricket team was unable to return home from Barbados after winning the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup; scores of fans were also stranded on the island. More than 400 people were staying in hurricane shelters across Barbados.

A 7:00 pm curfew was instated in Grenada for June 30. A state of emergency was declared by Governor-General Cécile La Grenade that would last for a week. A Caribbean Community meeting in Grenada, scheduled to run from July 3 to July 5, was cancelled. On June 29, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia ordered a national shutdown in anticipation of Beryl's impacts on the island nation. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines imposed a curfew and a government shut down for 7:00 pm. Shelters were opened on June 29 on the islands. More than 1,100 people used the shelters.

A state of emergency was declared for Tobago. Ferry schedules were modified on June 30 in Trinidad and Tobago. All ferries to Tobago for July 1 were cancelled. Schools across the nation were closed for July 1. In the 14 shelters across Tobago, 145 people were sheltered in for Hurricane Beryl.

Greater Antilles

Jamaica was placed under a hurricane warning on July 1. Additionally, Jamaica's Disaster Risk Coordination Committee convened to prepare for the hurricane. In Saint Ann's Bay, all state-run and affiliated local agencies were activated. Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport were closed on July 3. A nationwide curfew was implemented by the government on July 3. 500 people across the nation were in shelters. Advertisement boards were dismantled. The Miss Universe Jamaica Grand Coronation, which was scheduled for July 6, was postponed.

The southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti were put under a tropical storm warning. Humanitarian agencies in Haiti were in close contact with Haitian authorities as Beryl neared the nation, and the southwestern peninsula on the island was under a hurricane watch. Two American Airlines flights to the Dominican Republic were cancelled due to adverse weather caused by Beryl. A national cloud cover warning was activated for the Dominican Republic.

The Cayman Islands were put under a hurricane warning on July 2. Delta, United, and Air Canada modified their flight schedules from July 2–4 to assist with evacuations from the islands. This included adding extra flights to Miami. The McKeeva Bush rape trial, scheduled to take place on July 4, was adjourned due to Beryl.

Norwegian, Carnival, and Disney cruise lines altered their routes to avoid the hurricane.

Mexico and Belize

On July 1, Quintana Roo was placed on a blue alert in preparation for Beryl. Later it was upgraded to a red warning. On July 2, the Yucatán state government activated 2,000 shelters. In 58 shelters, 2,200 people were housed. The Mexican government mobilized 8,000 troops on the peninsula. Also, 34,000 liters (9,000 U.S. gal) of potable water was prepared. The eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula was placed under a hurricane warning on July 3. Schools were closed across the peninsula. Additionally, in Cancún International Airport, around 300 flights were cancelled. Tulum International Airport was closed. On July 6, a tropical storm warning was issued for northern Tamaulipas.

In Belize, officials advised that citizens be wary of mudslides and flash floods. A tropical storm warning was issued in the country on July 4.

United States

In Texas, 121 of the state's counties were placed under a severe weather disaster declaration as Beryl approached. On July 3, authorities in Cameron County, Texas, issued a voluntary evacuation order for occupants of recreational vehicles at three county trailer parks. The Texas Cook'Em High Steaks event in Edinburg and ResacaFest in San Benito were postponed from their scheduled date of July 6. Parts of the Texan coast was placed under hurricane warning July 6. The city of Falfurrias offered residents to waive unpaid fines by filling sandbags. Corpus Christi deployed all 10,000 of their sandbags for flood guarding. Several oil companies moved their employees from oil rigs located along the Texas coast. A mandatory evacuation was ordered in Refugio County by County Judge Jhiela Poynter who cited that she "didn't want to take any chances" following the effects of Hurricane Harvey on Refugio County in 2017.

Impact

Impact by country/territory

Country/Territory	Deaths	Damage (USD)	Ref
Barbados	0	Un­known
Cayman Islands	0	Un­known
Cuba	0	Un­known
Dominican Republic	0	Un­known
Grenada	3	Un­known
Haiti	0	Un­known
Jamaica	3	Un­known
Martinique	0	Un­known
Mexico	0	>$1 billion
Saint Lucia	0	Un­known
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	3	Un­known
Trinidad and Tobago	0	Un­known
Venezuela	3	Un­known
Total	12	>$5 billion

Lesser Antilles

Initial reports estimated that the hurricane caused over $1 billion in economic losses. The World Health Organization reported that 1,032 people required evacuation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 2,500 in Grenada, and 129 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines recorded three deaths, and experienced widespread devastation; over 90% of buildings across the nation's several islands were damaged or destroyed. The east coast of Saint Vincent experienced winds of 140 mph (230 km/h) and storm surge. Nearly every structure on Union Island was damaged by the hurricane, of which 90% were estimated to be destroyed. The effects on Union Island were described to be more catastrophic than Hurricane Ivan of 2004. The Palm Island Resort, located about one mile (1.6 km) from Union Island on Palm Island suffered extensive damage, with all but two guest houses at the hotel flattened. One death was confirmed on the island. Around 90% of homes on Canouan and Mayreau were extensively damaged or destroyed. Petit Saint Vincent suffered catastrophic damage as well. 1,752 people needed to be relocated to shelters.

Grenada

In Grenada, the island of Carriacou, along with neighboring Petite Martinique, had no electricity and limited communication, with extensive destruction of roofs and damage to buildings occurring. In the rest of the country, 95% of customers were without power and telecommunications were damaged. One person died on the main island of Grenada when a house collapsed in St. George's. Two others were killed on the island of Carriacou. The International Organization for Migration Caribbean Office reported that they had not been able to receive any communications from Carriacou, Petite Martinique, or the Grenadines for several hours after landfall. Over 1,600 people needed to be moved into shelters, with OCHA reporting that 100% of the population was affected by the hurricane. 100% of homes in Petite Martinique were damaged or destroyed.

Elsewhere

In Tobago, nine trees fell and nine structures were damaged. Power outages also occurred across the island. In Trinidad, power outages occurred mainly on the northern and eastern parts of the island. Flooding also occurred on the northern half of Trinidad. Électricité de France stated that 10,000 customers lost power in Martinique. In Fort-de-France, flooding in the downtown reached knee-depth. In Barbados, roofs, trees and electrical posts were damaged. Businesses and roads were flooded. Fishing boats were damaged. 208,200 people, equal to about 74% of the population, were affected by the storm, with at least forty homes suffering damage. In Saint Lucia, trees and powerlines were downed. Many homes made of weaker materials were damaged and multiple cows were killed.

While Beryl's core did not directly cross Venezuela, its outer bands still caused notable impacts in the country, damaging over 8,000 houses. In the state of Sucre, three people were killed and five others were missing, while over 6,000 houses were damaged because of the hurricane. The city of Cumanacoa was flooded by rain dumped by Beryl, which caused the area's Manzanares River to overflow. Several injuries occurred across the country as well. Several officials, including Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, were injured by a falling tree during a tour of the damage in Cumanacoa.

Greater Antilles

Hurricane Beryl produced gusty winds and rough surf in the Dominican Republic. The hurricane displaced 89 people and cut service to 57 aqueducts. Large waves scattered debris on a section of the Las Américas Highway in Santo Domingo. Storm surge flooding was reported in the neighborhood of Ciudad Nueva, detouring traffic. A landslide destroyed a home in La Zurza. Multiple beachfront shops in Boca Chica were damaged by rough waves. Four dwellings were destroyed by storm surge in La Ciénaga, Barahona, where an additional three houses were damaged.

Beryl brushed the southern coast of Jamaica on July 3, with strong winds and rain. At least three people were killed on the island, while another went missing after he was washed away by floods. The Jamaican Public Service Company stated that over 400,000 people were without power. A small portion of roof of a passenger boarding pier was damaged at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. Kingston itself had most of its power knocked out. At least 1,000 people needed to be relocated to shelters.

In the Cayman Islands, over 5,000 were affected by power outages. Flash floods and mudslides occurred across the islands.

Mexico

In Quintana Roo, there was minor roof damage in Tulum as Beryl made landfall on July 5. Five people were rescued from a flood in their home and two gas leaks were recorded. In Tulum, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres, there were reports of disruptions to the electricity service.

Records

Beryl is the easternmost hurricane to form in the tropical Atlantic in June – 49.3°W, beating the mark set by the 1933 Trinidad hurricane – 58.9°W. Additionally, it became the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the basin, surpassing the previous record set on July 8, 2005 by Hurricane Dennis, and the strongest June hurricane as measured by wind speed, surpassing Hurricane Audrey of 1957. It later became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, surpassing the record set on July 16, 2005 by Hurricane Emily, as well as becoming the strongest July hurricane on record by wind speed. Beryl also became the first system on record to undergo rapid intensification in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic during the month of June.

See also

• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• Timeline of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season