Hurricane Beryl
The earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, has unleashed unprecedented destruction in the Caribbean.
ShelterBox is responding in the Caribbean after Hurricane Beryl devastated islands.
This category-five hurricane left a path of destruction across the islands, displacing an estimated 200,000 people and damaging or destroying 90% of homes and buildings.
Debris are being cleared, and basic utilities are restored, but the rebuilding of roads, schools, workplaces, and homes will take much longer and remains a significant challenge. Our team has met with local communities and residents to understand their needs and ensure effective aid distribution. With the help of Rotary. we’re providing tents, mosquito nets, solar lights, and cooking sets.
With the peak of hurricane season approaching—it is critical to provide immediate relief to those in need as swiftly as possible.
Your donation will provide emergency shelter and other critical essentials to families in need around the world.
How is ShelterBox responding?
Our ShelterBox team is on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, actively assessing the needs of communities affected by Hurricane Beryl.
Entire communities are sheltering in overcrowded schools. Our tents will help families return to their homes and enable schools to reopen. Mosquito nets will address health risks from stagnant water, solar lights will offer essential illumination, and cooking sets will bring comfort and a sense of routine during these uncertain times.
A response like this can be very challenging. There is limited transport and no connectivity on the islands where we’re working. But we have worked in the Caribbean before, and we have a good idea of what we’re facing. To ensure a swift response, we will be utilizing prepositioned emergency shelter aid stored in our Panama warehouse.
What aid will ShelterBox provide?
Mosquito nets will help families protect themselves from diseases like dengue fever
When there is no power, solar lights make it possible for families to spend time together
Cooking sets will enable people to share a hot meal together, bringing comfort and a sense of routine
Being prepared for disasters
Hurricanes and other severe weather events happen every year. These become disasters when people are not prepared, and not supported to recover afterwards.
Some people become trapped in a cycle of disaster, lacking time to recover from one disaster before the next one strikes. With storms becoming more powerful people in the Caribbean could face repeated destruction.
We have emergency shelter aid like tarpaulins, tents, and tools stored in Panama and other strategic locations around the world. Hurricanes happen every year – so before a disaster happens, we make sure we’re ready to respond.
Watch this video learn more about how we prepare for disasters. You can also learn more on our website about how we monitor and prepare for storms and hurricanes.
How strong is Hurricane Beryl?
Hurricane Beryl rapidly developed from a tropical depression to a hurricane. It is now a Category 5 hurricane – the strongest level. Winds of 160mph have been recorded. Winds of this level have the potential to inflict devastating damage to homes and infrastructure.
One of the thousands of homes reduced to rubble on the island of Carriacou, where ShelterBox is currently responding (July 2024).
Where has Hurricane Beryl affected?
Hurricane Beryl has made landfall in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and St Lucia, as well as several smaller Caribbean Island nations. Reports are that the damage has been severe, although the full extent of the damage will become apparent over the coming days. Carriacou Island, part of Grenada, has been badly affected. The Grenada Prime Minister has stated that the island was flattened in half an hour.
Destruction on the island of Carriacou, where ShelterBox is currently responding (July 2024).
How many people have been affected?
So far, an estimated 200,000 people have been impacted. The entire populations of both Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have been affected.
But with communications disrupted, the number of people impacted is expected to rise. Some of the smaller Caribbean Islands are reporting over 90% of houses being damaged or destroyed.
Building destruction on the island of Carriacou, where ShelterBox is currently responding (July 2024).
Why is Hurricane Beryl so unusual?
Typically, Category 4 or 5 Hurricanes do not develop in the Atlantic this early in the season. Hurricane Beryl is the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded. Scientists think that the storm developing this early is due to warming sea temperatures, a result of the climate crisis.
It had been predicted that 2024 could be the one of the worst years on records for severe hurricanes. The early appearance of Hurricane Beryl suggests these predictions might be right.
This is very worrying for communities that find themselves in the path of these storms – they might not have the time to recover from one disaster before the next hits.
One of the thousands of homes reduced to rubble on the island of Carriacou, where ShelterBox is currently responding (July 2024).
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