Hurricane Beryl, an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, has made a devastating landfall in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), leaving a trail of destruction.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, speaking from his residence on Monday, described the storm as a “monster” as it ripped off rooftops, including that of the historic St. George’s Anglican Cathedral in Kingstown.
Gonsalves reported severe impacts, including widespread power outages and significant damage to infrastructure.
“We have no electricity, and while I am talking to you, the rain is beating on the official prime minister’s residence, and the winds are howling. And it’s going to get much worse,” he said, predicting further deterioration in the coming hours.
The hurricane’s impact has been catastrophic, with torrential rain and gale-force winds downing power lines, destroying vehicles, and forcing thousands into emergency shelters.
Prime Minister Gonsalves criticizes global inaction on climate change amid Hurricane Beryl’s devastation.Union Island has been particularly hard hit, with 90% of houses either losing their roofs or suffering severe damage. Videos circulating on social media show metal roofing sheets being tossed through the air, highlighting the storm’s ferocity.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that Beryl is “life-threatening,” emphasizing the rapid intensification of the storm from a tropical depression to a major hurricane within just 42 hours—a rare occurrence in Atlantic hurricane history.
The storm has caused widespread disruption across the eastern Caribbean, with flight cancellations and the postponement of major events, including the St. Vincent Carnival and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders’ summit in Grenada.
In his statement, Gonsalves criticized the lack of political will in Western Europe and the U.S. to address the global climate crisis, calling out the insufficient action by major greenhouse gas emitters.
He lamented the inadequate focus on climate issues in political campaigns, such as the ongoing UK election, and urged for increased support to vulnerable nations.
As SVG grapples with the aftermath of Beryl and the lingering effects of a recent volcanic eruption, the Prime Minister’s remarks underscore the urgent need for more robust climate action and support for small island developing states.