Hurricane Beryl Updates: Several Airports Closed as Jamaica Awaits Beryl’s Arrival

As Hurricane Beryl approaches Jamaica, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is warning of “life-threatening winds and storm surge” on the island on Wednesday.

As of 5 a.m. EST, Beryl was just 185 miles east of Kingston, moving west at 20 mph and bringing with it winds of 145 mph. The NHC says that the storm is expected to first pass “near or over Jamaica later today” and then “near or over the Cayman Islands tonight or early Thursday,” before hitting the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico early on Friday.

Beryl is currently a Category 4 Hurricane, and while some weakening is forecasted over the next day or two, it’s still expected to remain at hurricane intensity when it passes near Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The same warnings from Tuesday are still in effect from the NHC, including a Hurricane Warning for Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brack.

Here’s the latest expectation for Beryl, according to the NHC:

Jamaica prepares

Visit Jamaica, the country’s tourism arm recommends all inbound travelers to the island check with their airline, hotel, or travel advisor before leaving home. “Flight schedules may be subject to change based on the current storm condition in Jamaica and around the Caribbean region,” it said.

For those already on the island, Visit Jamaica says the best thing they can do is stay at their hotel or resort until their flight is confirmed, and even once it is confirmed, they should only head to the airport three hours before their flight.

“Fortunately, the Government of Jamaica, the tourism industry, and our travel partners are experienced in hurricane preparedness and response. Our teams are very organized and in continual communication, and you can be assured that your safety and comfort is a top priority,” Visit Jamaica said.

Airports closed

As Jamaica prepares for Beryl, the country’s two major airports both shut their doors on Tuesday night. Both Norman Manley International (KIN) in Kingston and Sangster International (MBJ) in Montego Bay will remain closed through at least Thursday morning.

“In light of the impending threat posed by Hurricane Beryl, Sangster International Airport will temporarily close tonight,” MBJ said in a statement to travelers on Tuesday.

“The airport will remain closed throughout Wednesday, July 3 to ensure safety during the hurricane’s passage.”

Joining both of them is Owen Roberts International (GCM) in Grand Cayman, and other hubs on those islands, which are also closed on Wednesday.

“Based on current projections and weather conditions, Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman will cease Airport Operations at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, 3 July 2024 and Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac will cease Airport Operations at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, 3 July 2024,” GCM said.

“We anticipate resuming Airport Operations once the ’All Clear’ for the Cayman Islands has been given on Hurricane Beryl.”

Airline waivers

Air Canada has waivers for Cancun International (CUN), Kingston (KIN), Montego Bay (MBJ), Grand Cayman Island (GCM), and Tulum (TQO) through July 5. All of Air Canada’s info, including rules for rebooking, can be found on its travel information page.

American Airlines has a waiver for travel through July 5 for Cancun International (CUN), Cozumel International (CZM), Merida International (MID), and Tulum (TQO). Flights can be rebooked for travel through July 10.

Delta’s waiver is for flights through the end of July 5 at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize (BZE), Cancun International (CUN), Owen Roberts International (GCM), Sangster International (MBJ) in Jamaica, Norman Manley International (KIN), and Tulum (TQO).

Tickets can be reissued on or before July 10 for travel through the same date without extra fees or fare differences.

JetBlue has a waiver for five airports for travel through July 8—Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), Cancun International (CUN), Owen Roberts International (GCM), Sangster International (MBJ), Norman Manley International (KIN), and Tulum (TQO).

JetBlue is allowing travelers to rebook for travel through July 8 without penalty.

Southwest has two waivers—one for Owen Roberts International (GCM) and Sangster International (MBJ) that expires at the end of July 4 and one for Cancun (CUN) and Cozumel International (CZM) that expires at the end of July 5. Southwest is allowing travelers to change their flights to new ones without two weeks of travel dates without fare differences.

United’s waiver is for travel through July 6 and includes Cancun International (CUN), Cozumel International (CZM), Owen Roberts International (GCM), Sangster International (MBJ), Merida International (MID), and Tulum (TQO).

United is allowing travelers to rebook for travel by the end of July 14 without fees or fare differences.

WestJet has a waiver out for Norman Manley International (KIN) and Sangster International (MBJ) for travel through the end of July 4, along with a separate waiver for Cancun International (CUN) through the end of July 5.

Resort updates

Sandals Resorts has reported that all is well at its properties hit by the hurricane, and it is taking precautionary measures in Jamaica.

“As it relates to Hurricane Beryl, we are happy to report that guests in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are safe, in great spirits and enjoying the resorts,” a Sandals Resorts spokesperson told TMR. “As the storm continues to move through the Caribbean, we are monitoring the situation and are ensuring that appropriate preparations are taken as a precaution at all of our resorts in Jamaica.”