WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Beryl maintained its Category 4 strength as it brushed the coast of Jamaica on Wednesday afternoon.
As of the 11 p.m. update, the storm has sustained winds of 130 mph with higher wind gusts possible throughout the mountainous terrain of Jamaica. Beryl is moving away from the island of Jamaica, but leaving storm surge near 9 ft, lingering bands of heavy rainfall, and hurricane force winds. Hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica.
The Cayman Islands will feel the force of this major hurricane next. Hurricane conditions are starting to intensify in the Caymans with strong winds, rough surf and storm surge. Rainfall totals are expected to be near 4-6 inches. Beryl will move to the south of the Caymans providing similar devastating hurricane conditions that Jamaica felt.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
* Jamaica
* Grand Cayman
* Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico south of Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico north of Cancun to Cabo Catoche
* Coast of Belize from south of Chetumal to Belize City
* The coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico west of Cabo Catoche to Campeche
Dangerous storm surge is expected through the Yucatan Peninsula in the following days.
The Yucatan Peninsula will start to experience tropical storm-force winds as early as Thursday. These conditions will intensify and worsen by Friday feeling hurricane conditions; winds, storm surge, rough waters.
Beryl will likely make landfall for a second time just to the south of Cancun as a Category 2 strength hurricane. The Yucatan Peninsula should prepare for rainfall totals between 4-8 inches of rainfall.
Beryl is forecast to turn to a Tropical Storm and enter the warmer waters of the Gulf, which could bring life back to Beryl and allow it to strengthen to a category 1 hurricane. Beryl is then looking to bring intense rain and tropical storm force winds to southern Texas. This is a similar area to what Tropical Storm Alberto impacted not too long ago.
