Hurricane Beryl: Jamaica closes airports, JTB posts Q&A for guests in destination

Jamaica’s airports temporarily closed late Tuesday (July 2) ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s Wednesday arrival, which is expected to bring "devastating hurricane-force winds," according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica's largest airport, temporarily shut down Tuesday night at around midnight.

It will remain closed well into Wednesday to ensure safety, the airport said in a press release.

Following the hurricane, which is expected to hit Jamaica Wednesday afternoon, an assessment will be conducted to determine when it is safe to resume operations.

"Passengers are urged to contact their airline to make changes to their reservations prior to making their way to the airport," the airport said.

Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston also shut its doors earlier last night at 10 p.m. local time. Again, the reopening time will be announced once an assessment is made.

Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish (near Ocho Rios) and Domestic Aerodromes are taking a similar approach.   

Beryl barrels through the Caribbean

On Tuesday, Beryl strengthened to a Category 5 storm – the earliest Category 5 on record in the Atlantic – as it raged through the open waters of the Caribbean.

On Monday, the storm made landfall on Carriacou, an island that is part of Grenada, as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Barbados, which had issued a hurricane warning, appears to have been spared major damage.

As of early Wednesday morning, Beryl was roaring towards Jamaica as a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 150 mph, the NHC reported.

The Jamaican government has issued a hurricane warning and people living in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been urged to seek shelter. A hurricane watch has also been issued for the Cayman Islands.

Additional weakening of Beryl is forecast in the days ahead as the storm heads to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday night or Friday.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned that the North Atlantic could get as many as seven major hurricanes this year – up from an average of three in a season.

What to do if visiting Jamaica?

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has posted a Q&A for travellers who are currently in Jamaica (or planning on visiting). Click here to read it.

“The Government of Jamaica, the tourism industry, and our travel partners are experienced in hurricane preparedness and response,” reads a statement posted to the JTB’s website. “Our teams are very organized and in continual communication, and you can be assured that your safety and comfort is a top priority.”

The path of Hurricane Beryl is still uncertain and its impact on Jamaica remains unknown, the JTB writes.

But weather models suggest a “very high possibility for serious storm conditions beginning at least early Wednesday morning,” the JTB says.

The tourist board is advising visitors in destination to consider the following guidance until the storm passes:

To check for ongoing updates regarding Hurricane Beryl here. 

For information on airport openings and closures, evacuation sites and any other required information, contact the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) at teoc@mot.gov.jm or call one of the following phone numbers:

Digicel:

876- 282-6712

876- 469-0265

Flow:

658-213-2802

658-213-2803

658-213-2804

For ongoing weather updates, follow @NHC_Atlantic on X (formerly Twitter) as well.

The JTB also encourages visitors to register with their Embassy for country specific guidance and support.

Should travellers cancel of postpone their visit to Jamaica this week?

The JTB recommends guests to check with their air carrier and accommodations, along with their travel advisors and/or tour operators if relevant, before leaving home.

“Flight schedules may be subject to change based on the current storm condition in Jamaica and around the Caribbean region,” the tourist board says. “Whether this week or in the very near future, we know you will have an exceptional stay in Jamaica with memories to last a lifetime.”

In an email to PAX, Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada at the Jamaica Tourist Board had this to say:

"If you’re a currently on island, we encourage you to maintain contact with your travel advisor and visit this link to find resources and responses to frequently asked questions. The Tourism Emergency Operations Centre is based at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, and we remain on high alert regarding the passage of this system," she said. "Our thoughts are with those visitors currently on island, and their safe return home.”

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