Hurricane Beryl, a powerful Category 2 storm, has made landfall in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, striking popular tourist destinations and prompting widespread evacuations. The hurricane’s core moved over Tulum with winds of approximately 100 mph, causing damage and disruption across the region.
The storm’s impact has been felt widely, with a hurricane warning issued for the coast from Puerto Costa Maya to Cancun, including Cozumel. In response to the threat, authorities evacuated around 3,000 tourists from Isla Mujeres, a small island near Cancun. The region’s tourism industry has been significantly affected, with Cancun International Airport canceling about 100 flights, leaving many visitors scrambling to depart before the storm’s arrival.
Before reaching Mexico, Beryl wreaked havoc across several Caribbean islands. As a Category 5 hurricane, it swept through Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela, causing massive damage and claiming at least 11 lives. The full extent of the destruction and potential additional casualties are still being assessed.
While Beryl is expected to weaken as it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula, meteorologists predict it will regain strength upon entering the Gulf of Mexico. This resurgence poses a potential threat to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas, with impacts possible by the end of the weekend.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center continues to warn of dangerous winds, storm surges, and destructive waves in the landfall area. While Mexico’s major oil platforms in the southern Gulf of Mexico are not expected to be significantly impacted, there are concerns about potential effects on oil projects in U.S. waters if the hurricane follows its projected path.
As Beryl continues its journey, authorities and residents in potentially affected areas are urged to stay vigilant and prepared.
Check out the latest footage from the aftermath of Beryl, along with it’s projected path.