During a press conference held at 6 pm in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that the hurricane’s impact was less severe than anticipated. He reported no significant damage or loss of life during Hurricane Beryl’s passage.
“Overall, we predicted that the eye would pass us around this time, and it appears to be moving quickly past our coast, which is favorable for us. The faster it moves, the better,” Holness stated.
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He confirmed no reports of fatalities related to the hurricane, emphasizing that loss of life during such events is often due to accidents or reckless actions rather than the weather itself.
Approximately 500 people are in shelters, and Holness called on ODPEM to ensure their proper care and safety.
Holness urged Jamaicans to stay indoors until official advisories confirm it is safe to leave. “We have not seen the worst of what could happen yet, so we should maintain our readiness and continue to pray for Jamaica’s safety,” he added.
He acknowledged reports of storm surges and indicated that he would need an assessment from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) on any coastal infrastructure damage.
