Hurricane Beryl, a potent Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, is rapidly approaching Jamaica as it moves across the central Caribbean Sea. As of 5:00 AM EDT, the hurricane was located near latitude 16.6 North, longitude 74.4 West, moving west-northwest at 20 mph.

The National Hurricane Center has expanded its warnings:

• Hurricane Warnings are in effect for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.
• A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula from Chetumal to Cabo Catoche, in addition to the existing watch for Haiti’s south coast.
• A new Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Belize’s coast from south of Chetumal to Belize City.

Beryl is forecast to pass near or over Jamaica later today, the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday, and move over the Yucatan Peninsula early Friday. While some weakening is expected, Beryl is likely to remain a major hurricane as it approaches these areas.

Residents should prepare for potentially life-threatening conditions:

1. Winds: Hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 miles from the center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 185 miles outward.
2. Storm surge: Water levels could rise 6 to 9 feet above normal in Jamaica, 2 to 4 feet in the Cayman Islands, and 3 to 5 feet along the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast.
3. Rainfall: Jamaica could see 4 to 8 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 12 inches. The Cayman Islands may receive 2 to 4 inches with local maxima of 6 inches. The Yucatan Peninsula and northern Belize could see 2 to 6 inches, with isolated areas receiving up to 8 inches.
4. Dangerous surf: Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected across the affected areas, including Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.

Residents in warned areas should rush preparations to completion and follow local authorities’ guidance. The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 8:00 AM EDT, with a complete advisory at 11:00 AM EDT.