Hurricane Beryl strengthens to Category 5 as it razes southeast Caribbean islands
Roofs torn off in Saint Vincent as Hurricane Beryl slams into the southeast of the Caribbean. In Barbados, boats are barely able to stay afloat as large waves batter the coastline. Local businesses are feeling the force of the hurricane too. I don't think that the damage would be so much. I just come to work for the shop to check on it. But now you realize it is much more than I thought. The hurricane has delivered intense rainfall and storm surge, forcing hundreds in Barbados to evacuate their homes. On Monday, Beryl caused blackouts across the region. Around 95% of the island of Grenada lost power, according to authorities. Pharrell's arrival marks an exceptionally early start to the Atlantic hurricane season. Scientists say it's quick evolution is unprecedented. The other remarkable thing about this storm was that it had a very intense shift in intensity, making it one of these most impressive rapid intensification cases in Atlantic history. The hurricane gathered its strength from record warm waters that are hotter now than they would be at the peak of hurricane season in September. Next on Beryl's path is many of central Caribbean's most populated islands before it barrels towards the Gulf of Mexico.