BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- AFTER leaving devastation in its wake in the Windward Islands, Hurricane Beryl has been upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane from its major Category 4 status earlier today.
The United States-based National Hurricane Center, in its late-night update, confirmed that the storm is now packing winds of 160 mph, pushing it into Category 5 status.
“Recent data from the NOAA Hurricane Hunters indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 160 mph (260 km/h) with higher gusts,” NHC said. “Beryl is now a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.”
The hurricane is currently in the Caribbean Sea, and the National Hurricane Center noted that fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, stating that Beryl is expected to still be near major hurricane intensity as it moves into the central Caribbean.
On its current path, it is expected to pass near Jamaica on Wednesday. Residents have been urged to prepare for possible impact from the storm, which is currently moving at 22 mph.
