Met Service: Hurricane Beryl to Bring Strong Winds by 9 a.m.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica as the Category 4 storm approaches the island.

At 4 a.m., the eye of Hurricane Beryl was located about 240 km (150 miles) east-southeast of Morant Point or 300 km (185 miles) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, the Met Office reported. Beryl is expected to be at or near major hurricane strength when it reaches Jamaica on Wednesday. According to the forecast, the center of the hurricane is projected to pass near or over the island’s southern coastline between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Strong winds, reaching near tropical storm force, are anticipated to arrive in Jamaica as early as 9 a.m. These winds will quickly escalate to near hurricane strength as Beryl’s center stays close to the island, weather authorities noted.

Rainfall from the outer bands of this powerful hurricane started affecting Jamaica late Tuesday. However, the Met Office’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated that showers from the storm’s core are expected to impact the island’s eastern end “within the next 3-4 hours.” Rainfall totals of 100-200 millimeters (four to eight inches) are forecast for most areas during this period, with higher amounts in elevated regions.

The Met Office also warned of dangerous storm surges, which could raise water levels by as much as two to three meters (six to nine feet) and generate battering waves along coastal areas of the island.