The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS Hurricane Beryl barrels towards the Caribbean, some Bahamian students in Jamaica are anxious and making plans to return home.

Beryl, the first named hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, strengthened into a dangerous Category Four storm yesterday while nearing the southeast Caribbean, becoming the earliest storm with Category 4 strength on record.

It is expected to pass just south of Barbados early today. 

The system led officials to postpone the 47th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, scheduled to be held this week in Grenada, one of several counties currently under a hurricane warning.

 Forecasters predict the storm will head into the Caribbean Sea as a major hurricane and move towards Jamaica before weakening mid-week. 

 TraVelle Bain, president of the University of West Indies’ Mona Campus Bahamian student association, which represents more than 70 members, told The Tribune yesterday that students were panicking yesterday after learning of Beryl’s rapid growth to a category four storm.

 “They’re surprised it’s a Category Four and some parents are calling their kids to come back home,” she said.

 The medical student said she has been communicating with Bahamian officials to develop a plan in case evacuation is needed.

 She said most students returned to the country last week for the summer semester and had already stocked up on groceries.

 She said the scenes at grocery stories are much different now than they were early yesterday morning.

 “When I went to the grocery store, it was calm, and it seemed regular,” she said. “When I went for water, the lady said she was happy that I came early because the news just hit her about the hurricane, and my flatmate just went out for stuff for the hurricane this morning.”

 “People were making light preparations, but my answer may change tomorrow or Tuesday.”

 Hours after the interview, she sent a message to The Tribune, saying the stores were full and that people were panicking.

 Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness urged residents over the weekend to begin their preparations ahead of the storm, warning that, based on various weather models, Beryl is likely to impact the country.

 Ms Bain said students are anxious, adding that some may leave as early as tomorrow depending on what happens.

 Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory for Bahamians in Barbados and the Windward Island to take the necessary precautions.

 It is unclear how many Bahamians are currently in those countries; however, this newspaper was told that a group of Bahamian accountants were in Barbados for a conference.