The Caribbean is a year-round holiday hotspot for those seeking hot, tropical weather. However, between July and November is when the islands experience their wettest and often most extreme weather.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued an urgent warning for British tourists who may have plans to visit some of The Caribbean’s most popular hotspots in the coming week.
The announcement was made as experts tracked Hurricane Beryl, the latest storm approaching the southeast Caribbean which has been described as “extremely dangerous”.
Hurricane Beryl is expected to hit the Windward Islands on Monday morning. Hurricane warnings are in effect in Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The FCO has issued fresh warnings for a number of the islands in The Caribbean, stating: “Weather projections forecast a major hurricane to hit the region possibly as early as Sunday 30 June and into the following week.
“You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”
The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that the “forecast [is expected] to bring life-threatening winds and storm surge”.
Beryl is expected to pass just south of Barbados and then head into the Caribbean Sea as a major hurricane on a path toward Jamaica. As the week progresses the hurricane is expected to become weaker but will remain a hurricane as it rumbles towards Mexico.
Experts have predicted it to be a category four storm, having already progressed to be a category three storm as of Sunday morning.
The categorisation makes Beryl the earliest category-four Atlantic hurricane on record. The Foreign Office notes: “Once the event has happened, you should be aware of possible risks relating to damaged buildings or other infrastructure. Be aware that events in places away from where you are can still cause disruption, such as through loss of power, communications or transport services.”
They advise that it may take time for airports to re-open in serious cases and it may be hard to receive help in remote areas which have been cut off by damaged infrastructure or flooding.
“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s ability to help British nationals may be limited (perhaps severely) in these circumstances,” the FCO added. “We cannot ensure your safety and security in another country. The relevant authorities in the country or territory you are in are responsible for your safety and security.”