Hurricane Beryl, causing havoc in the Caribbean, has strengthened to a Category 5 storm.
It has ravaged parts of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where many residents are without power, and so far one person has died.
It is expected to hit Jamaica by Wednesday.
It is the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the region and only the second ever reported in July.
The Caribbean hurricane affected almost all residents in Grenada
St. Vincent PM Ralph Gonsalves said about 90% of the homes on the nation’s Union Island are damaged or destroyed
“We get up with our commitment and conviction to rebuild our lives and our families’ lives,” Gonsalves said.
A hurricane warning now moves to Jamaica, where national disaster response protocols are in force.
It could be drenched by up to 12 inches of rain.
Although not on the hurricane’s direct path, many boats in Barbados were sunk, impacted its fishing industry, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said.
Many cricket fans who travelled to Barbados for the T20 World Cup were stranded, as is the winning team, India, which is expected to depart some time on Tuesday.
National Weather Service officials predict a very active hurricane season this year,
It expects up to 25 storms, with around half becoming hurricanes.
