Caribbean Matters: The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Beryl

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Last week the Caribbean was hit by devastating storm Hurricane Beryl, which captured global headlines as the first and earliest major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. When Beryl made landfall in Grenada, on Carriacou island, its impact was catastrophic, as it also was in other parts of both Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Beryl moved on across the Caribbean, to Mexico and then to Texas, where its impact is still being felt. Sadly, most of the U.S. mainstream media attention moved on from the toll Beryl took in the Caribbean. People from throughout the Caribbean diaspora in both the United Kingdom and the United States are posting photos and videos to social media in hopes of garnering aid and support.

“Caribbean Matters” is a weekly series from Daily Kos. If you are unfamiliar with the region, check out Caribbean Matters: Getting to know the countries of the Caribbean.

Though Carriacou is part of Grenada, other islands immediately impacted by Beryl (Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Mustique, and Union Island) are part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is a former British colony which achieved independence on October 27, 1979, and is also a member of both the British Commonwealth and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Grenada is also a former crown colony, CARICOM and Commonwealth member, which achieved independence on February 7,1974. (U.S. citizens who know their history are probably more aware of Grenada, given Ronald Reagan’s invasion of the island in 1983.)

The UK’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued this statement:

The UK is helping our friends in the Caribbean as they deal with the devastating effects of Hurricane Beryl by releasing funds to help the region recover. I have just been speaking with the Cayman Premier and Governor to outline our commitment to the Overseas Territories. pic.twitter.com/pgovrNwiWd

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 5, 2024

Relief web reported on the £500,000 sent from the UK on July 5 in additional support for Caribbean countries that were impacted by the hurricane:

The financial support is providing immediate relief to meet the needs of those whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted. Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record to form in the Atlantic and the financial support is

It includes 800 emergency shelter kits – capable of supporting up to 4,000 people. These have already been dispatched to Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines after their islands suffered devastating damage earlier this week.

The emergency shelters, along with 1,620 buckets for households to collect and store water, have been sent from supplies pre-positioned in the region as part of the UK’s preparedness plans.

Relief web also reported on July 6:

In Grenada, more than 1,600 people are in shelters, a number that is expected to double. More than 98 per cent of the buildings has been severely affected in the Union, Carriacou and Petit Martinique islands, where most of the health facilities are compromised, as well as the terminal building Carriacou airport, and in general the majority of buildings, including schools and petrol stations, are damaged or destroyed.

Beryl also impacted Barbados on 1 July. The Barbados Red Cross reported on the IFRC GO platform that 208,200 people were affected by the storm, representing almost 74% of the total population. Reports indicate 40 homes with some type of damage, loss of roofs, partial collapse, or damage such as roof leaks. In terms of livelihoods, all boats at the Bridgetown marina sustained damage, and several completely sank due to large waves. According to government, damage assessments will be carried out in the coming days to determine the losses of the fishing industry.

Hurricane Beryl intensified to a category 5 as it approached Jamaica, bringing with it the potential for severe impacts. The full extent of damage still to be assessed. Reports indicate extensive damage, including numerous fallen trees that have blocked roads, landslides, widespread power outages in multiple communities, and structural damage due to high winds. The main power provider is having difficulties in restoration efforts to the widespread blackouts. This has exacerbated the situation by complicating rescue and relief efforts due to widespread power outages and infrastructural damages. Furthermore, the storm has significantly affected emergency operations, disrupting transport, communication, and public health services across the island. Around 59 shelters are activated with about 1,000 people, and more than 400,000 people have been affected by power outages.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States posted this appeal for assistance:

Disaster relief efforts depend on your generosity. Donate today to help deliver food, water, and medical supplies to Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique ??. Support our OECS members: https://t.co/BcFDEKzECq #OECSCares #DisasterRelief #Grenada pic.twitter.com/G9oQrfRf2l

— OECS Commission (@oecscommission) July 5, 2024

Vlogger Sam’s Gifted Hands posted this look at the destruction in St. Vincent:

YouTube Video

Democracy Now!’s reporting includes a video statement from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and an interview with Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, who speaks strongly about the need for climate justice. “The developed countries, the major emitters, are not taking this matter seriously,” says Gonsalves. He explains that the world must dramatically reduce emissions and that the current political and economic system is “driving all of us towards, if not extinction, to a terrible, inhospitable place called Earth.”

YouTube Video

Turkish television host Reagan Des Vignes also interviewed Prime Minister Gonsalves, who pulled no punches about the developed world’s responsibilities in this age of climate change.

YouTube Video


World Central Kitchen was on the scene assessing the damage and providing support:

YouTube Video

WCK notes:

As the storm approached, WCK teams prepositioned in Miami to quickly reach impacted islands. Over the past week, we have provided thousands of sandwiches, hundreds of cases of water, and as much fresh fruit as we can find to the hardest hit communities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Jamaica. Our teams have been traveling most efficiently by helicopter, but a few choppy, rolling boat rides have helped us get aid to islands too. We are working shoulder to shoulder with community leaders who have already begun distributing aid and helping their neighbors, and WCK is offering our support to help them grow their capabilities. Despite the devastation, there are still smiles on many faces as people count themselves lucky to still be able to help one another.

WCK mobilized across the Caribbean hours after Hurricane Beryl made landfall. Over the past week, we have provided thousands of hot meals and sandwiches, hundreds of cases of water, and as much fresh fruit as we can find to the hardest hit islands. Our teams have been traveling… pic.twitter.com/PUlqyHTxQV

— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) July 8, 2024

Here in the U.S in states with large Caribbean populations, like New York and Florida, relief efforts are underway:

UPDATE: Additional donation drop off sites and relief efforts are being launched to help those directly impacted by Hurricane Beryl’s devastating effects. Details https://t.co/yjtGWAPumh pic.twitter.com/KC9pOA19bi

— Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams (@nycpa) July 5, 2024

Please post any links you have to Beryl relief that I haven’t covered here to the comments section below, and also join me for the weekly Caribbean News roundup.

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