Hurricane Beryl approaches: Martinique on alert

Hurricane Beryl was located about 1200m east of Martinique on Sunday morning. It is moving towards west at a speed of 30 kmph.

Rapid and record intensity

Due to the unusually warm water it passes through, its intensity is very rapid. Beryl has reached category 4/5 hurricane status (according to the Saffir-Simpson scale) and is heading towards the Antilles. It was a major hurricane and one of the first to hit this part of the world (Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico).

Drifting south of the Antilles, Martinique was on alert

Beryl had to change its course to the southwest. Currently, the hurricane’s track is expected to pass between the islands of Grenada and St. Lucia, about 200 km south of Martinique.

Risk of wind gusts up to 100 kmph and heavy rain

Conditions in Martinique are particularly dire this Monday. Although it is on the fringes of more violent events, a strong storm surge is expected this Monday with waves of 4 to 5 m high with a moderate risk of coastal inundation at high tide. Winds will occasionally reach 100 km/h in the south of Martinique, which is closest to the path of Hurricane Beryl.

In terms of rainfall, accumulations can reach 80 to 100 mm. Under strong storms, 150mm of water could be reached by Tuesday morning. From now on, be alert because a detour is possible on the path north of Beryl.

Summer in the North Atlantic, hurricane season

Hurricane season starts in early June and ends in November. On average, over the past 30 years, there have been 14 events (tropical storms and hurricanes) each year.