As of 8 p.m. ET, Hurricane Beryl is currently positioned just offshore of the southwest part of Jamaica, approximately 100 miles west of Kingston. The National Hurricane Center reports that the storm boasts maximum winds of 130 mph, categorizing it as a dangerous Category 4 hurricane.
Southern Jamaica is currently experiencing the brunt of Beryl's impact, with the storm unleashing hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and a storm surge ranging from 6 to 9 feet. The situation remains critical as the storm continues to intensify.
Forecasters predict that Beryl will continue its westward trajectory, passing just south of the Cayman Islands before making its way over the Yucatan Peninsula late Thursday night and into Friday. The storm is then expected to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on Friday night, where it will likely veer northwestward.
Authorities in Mexico have taken precautionary measures, upgrading the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for the area spanning from Cabo Catoche to Progresso in the Yucatan Peninsula. Residents in these regions are advised to stay informed and prepared for potential impacts from the approaching storm.