Hurricane Beryl struck Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula after causing widespread havoc throughout the Caribbean, resulting in at least 10 fatalities. Making landfall as a category-two hurricane early Friday, it brought fierce winds reaching up to 175 km/h (108 mph). Although later downgraded to a tropical storm, forecasts indicated it would regain strength over the Gulf of Mexico during the weekend.
The hurricane brought heavy rainfall to popular tourist destinations such as Cancún and Tulum. While major damage was avoided, the strong winds toppled trees and triggered power outages. Civil protection chief Laura Velazquez assured that electricity would be fully restored to affected areas by Sunday. Residents like Carolina Vazquez of Tulum described the impact, noting damage to homes and the community.
Beryl’s arrival, schools were shuttered, hotels secured their windows, and emergency shelters were readied across vulnerable areas. Over 8,000 troops from the army, air force, and national guard were deployed to support the Yucatán Peninsula during the storm. Hundreds of tourists were evacuated from hotels, and more than 3,000 residents fled from Holbox Island.
The storm’s effects were also felt earlier in the Cayman Islands, where severe damage to homes and businesses occurred along the coastline. In Jamaica, Hurricane Beryl caused significant destruction before continuing its path across the region. The storm season, officially spanning from June to late November, often subjects the peninsula to such hurricanes.
Hurricane Beryl is projected to traverse the Gulf of Mexico towards northeastern Mexico and southern Texas. It is anticipated to regain hurricane status before making landfall again on Sunday evening. Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged residents along the Gulf coast to have emergency plans in place for their safety and that of their loved ones.
Hurricanes like Beryl underscore the region’s vulnerability to severe weather events, necessitating robust preparation and response measures from local authorities and communities.
