Hurricane Beryl, now downgraded to a Category 3 storm after weakening in recent hours, has begun to disrupt weather conditions in the Cayman Islands with strong winds and dangerous storm surges, according to the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States.
At 5:00 a.m. (Miami time), the storm was located about 90 km south-southeast of Grand Cayman and 705 km east-southeast of Tulum, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h. The center of Hurricane Beryl is moving west-northwest at about 31 km/h and is expected to continue this trajectory, passing just south of the Cayman Islands throughout the day and over the Yucatán Peninsula by Friday morning.
Beryl is then projected to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Friday night and turn northwest. The NHC warns that large swells generated by Beryl will impact the coasts of Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, the Yucatán Peninsula, and other parts of Central America and the Gulf of Mexico, creating potentially deadly rip currents.
Beryl's approach to the shores of Quintana Roo, in the Mexican Caribbean, has emergency services and the general population on high alert as prevention programs are implemented. The hurricane is heading directly toward a heavily touristic area.
According to Bernardo Cueto, Secretary of Tourism in Quintana Roo, there are currently 355,786 tourists throughout the state, primarily in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, representing a 68.5% hotel occupancy rate. Residents are also preparing for the hurricane by stockpiling food and securing their properties with boards to protect their facades.
Hurricane Beryl Impact and Preparations
As Hurricane Beryl approaches, many questions arise regarding its impact and necessary precautions. Below are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
What areas are expected to be most affected by Hurricane Beryl?
The areas expected to be most affected include the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, the Yucatán Peninsula, and other parts of Central America and the Gulf of Mexico.
What measures are being taken in Quintana Roo to prepare for the hurricane?
Emergency services and the general population are on high alert. Prevention programs are being implemented, and residents are stockpiling food and securing their properties with boards.
How many tourists are currently in Quintana Roo?
There are currently 355,786 tourists in the state, primarily in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, with a 68.5% hotel occupancy rate.