Since forming in the Atlantic on Friday (June 28) Beryl has been continuously gaining strength, with the National Hurricane Centre (NHC)on Sunday advising that the first hurricane of the season is now a category 4 storm.
In a 2:00 p.m. update the NHC said that Beryl is expected to continue strengthening as it travels west across the Atlantic.
Despite not posing a threat to Jamaica at this time, the local meteorological service has encouraged fishers on the cays and banks to be on the alert to evacuate.
Additionally the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPEM), has advised the public to dial 116 for weather updates.
According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale,which runs 1-5, a category ‘4’ hurricane is described as devastating and extremely dangerous.
This scale does not take into account other potentially deadly hazards such as storm surge, rainfall flooding, and tornadoes.
