Hurricane Beryl Reaches Category 5, Expected to Hit Jamaica Soon

Hurricane Beryl strengthened into a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds on the morning of July 2, according to an update from federal forecasters. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicted that Beryl will slam into Jamaica as a major hurricane of Category 3 or more in the afternoon on July 3. The agency noted that “weakening is forecast” later on July 2, but Beryl is still anticipated to be “near major hurricane intensity as it moves into the central Caribbean and passes near Jamaica on Wednesday and the Cayman Islands on Thursday.” “Additional weakening is expected thereafter, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane in the northwestern Caribbean,” it added. After hitting Jamaica, the center of the storm will likely approach Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday evening....