After reaching category 5 in the Caribbean, Hurricane Beryl was not feared to reach Colombia's Caribbean shores but would nevertheless significantly affect navigation in the area. Strong winds hit Jamaica late Monday, sweeping away power lines and flooding the streets of other islands such as Grenada, it was also reported. Although not expected to make landfall, Beryl marked a premature start to this year's Atlantic hurricane season.

Experts believe the hurry stemmed from climate change. Beryl caused great damage Monday to Grenada's islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. At least three people were reported dead.

There was “devastation everywhere,” Governor Kevin Andrew told reporters. President Dickson Mitchell held a press conference to announce that “almost all homes have been affected and there is no electricity on any of the islands, while communications remain difficult.” Some 3,000 residents were advised to remain in shelters or avoid roads until further notice.

Colombia's National Risk Management Unit issued a yellow “warning” in the Caribbean departments of Magdalena, and Atlántico, as well as in the islands of San Andrés, Prudencia, and Santa Catalina given the “probable alterations of the oceanic conditions and the rains that could occur.” The hurricane swirling through the Caribbean at a speed of around 35 km/h could bring maximum winds of 260 km/h, leaving waves of up to 3.4 meters.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), fo.