Hurricane Beryl has slightly weakened but remains an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph as it races across the Caribbean Sea. As of 5:00 PM EDT, the hurricane was located near latitude 15.9 North, longitude 70.8 West, moving west-northwest at 22 mph.

The National Hurricane Center has expanded its warnings, now including Hurricane Warnings for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac. A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the south coast of Haiti from the Dominican Republic border to Anse d’Hainault.

Beryl is forecast to maintain its rapid westward movement through Wednesday before turning more westward Wednesday night or Thursday. The storm is expected to pass near or over Jamaica on Wednesday, the Cayman Islands Wednesday night or early Thursday, and approach Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday night.

While some weakening is anticipated, Beryl is likely to remain at or near major hurricane intensity as it approaches Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Residents in these areas should prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions, including:

1. Strong winds: Hurricane-force winds extend up to 40 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 185 miles outward.
2. Storm surge: Water levels could rise 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels in Jamaica, 2 to 4 feet in the Cayman Islands, and 1 to 3 feet along the southern coast of Hispaniola.
3. Heavy rainfall: Jamaica and southwestern Haiti could see 4 to 8 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 12 inches. Similar amounts are expected in parts of the Dominican Republic, while the Cayman Islands may receive 2 to 4 inches with local maxima of 6 inches.
4. Dangerous surf: Large swells are expected to create life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across the affected areas, including Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.

Residents in the warning areas should rush preparations to completion and follow guidance from local authorities. Interests in the northwestern Caribbean, including the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize, should closely monitor Beryl’s progress.

The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 8:00 PM EDT, with a complete advisory at 11:00 PM EDT.