Tropical Storm Beryl, which strengthened into the season's first hurricane Saturday, quickly intensified as it entered the Caribbean.
A tornado warning was in effect A hurricane watch was in effect for the island of Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Beryl was expected to move northwest through the Caribbean this week, eventually crossing Jamaica and approaching southern Mexico.
Researchers predict an especially busy hurricane season. Beryl's early arrival was one of the few storms in history to form in the region earlier this year, the hurricane center said.
On Saturday, Beryl was centered about 700 miles east-southeast of Barbados, moving west at 22 mph with sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm is benefiting from favorable conditions, including very warm water, Brennan said.
« The storm has been on a steady strengthening trend since forming yesterday, » the hurricane center wrote in an afternoon update, « and now that its structure is more symmetrical and compact, it is likely to rapidly intensify. »
Beryl is expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of rain Barbados and the Windward Islands.
In a taped speech Friday, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley urged residents to prepare for the storm and protect each other.
« The reality is we're not in a position to know what kind of weather we're going to face, but we know we're going to face some, » he said. said. « When these things happen, you and I know it's best to plan for the worst and pray for the best. »
Matthew Kapucci contributed to this report.
