Beryl’s current wind speeds can remove well-built roof decking and gable ends

By Admin. Updated 12:44 p.m., Sunday, June 30, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

In its 12:00 p.m., Advisory issued today (June 30), the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Office (SVG Met Office) said Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring maximum sustained winds of 120-132 miles per hour.

The rapidly intensifying hurricane is expected to be a Category 4 hurricane by the time it reaches the Windward Islands on Monday, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

On the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, winds ranging from 111 to 120 miles per hour are in category three and will cause devastating damage.

“Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Beryl’s current winds extend up to 132 miles per hour putting it on the Category 4 segment on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

This means Beryl’s winds will cause catastrophic damage.

According to the National Hurricane Center, “well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months,” from category four winds.

Advisory 5 from the Met Office said:

“At 11am, Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 10.7° north; longitude 54.9° west, or approximately 457 miles (735 kilometers) east south east of SVG. Hurricane Beryl is moving toward the west at 21mph (33km/h) with an increased maximum sustained winds of 120mph (190 km/h). Minimum Central Pressure is 964mb or 28.47 inches”.

“Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185km),” the Met Office said in its 12:00 noon Advisory.