Top 5 Parishes in Jamaica Most Severely Affected by Hurricane Beryl

While Hurricane Beryl’s impact on Jamaica was less catastrophic compared to other Caribbean regions, it still caused significant disruption. Tragically, two lives were possibly lost—a woman struck by a falling tree in Hanover and a man swept away in a gully in Kingston. The hurricane brought severe flash floods, damaging properties and uprooting trees. Intense winds, heavy rain, and coastal surges led to substantial flooding and property damage across several parishes. Here are the six most affected parishes:

1.St. Elizabeth

• Communities Affected: Santa Cruz, Black River, Junction
• Impact: The hardest-hit parish, with widespread flooding damaging homes, farmlands, and infrastructure. Crops like yam, coconut, coffee, and carrots were severely affected, leading to significant agricultural losses.

2. St. Mary

• Communities Affected: Annotto Bay, Port Maria, and Highgate
• Impact: Extensive flooding and infrastructure damage. Annotto Bay and Port Maria faced severe inundation, cutting off access to several areas.

3. Portland

• Communities Affected: Buff Bay, Manchioneal, and Port Antonio
• Impact: Heavy rainfall led to landslides and flooding, particularly in the hilly regions. Buff Bay and Manchioneal experienced significant soil erosion and property damage.

4. St. Thomas

• Communities Affected: Morant Bay, Yallahs, and Seaforth
• Impact: Major flooding impacted both residential areas and farmland. The strong winds also caused power outages and building damage, notably in Morant Bay and Yallahs.

5. Clarendon

• Communities Affected: May Pen, Lionel Town, and Hayes
• Impact: Substantial flooding disrupted daily life and damaged infrastructure and homes. May Pen was particularly affected, with numerous reports of property damage.

6. Kingston

• Communities Affected: Downtown Kingston, Harbour View, and Bull Bay
• Impact: Severe urban flooding disrupted transportation and business activities. Floodwaters damaged both public and private properties, especially in low-lying areas like Harbour View.

How to Help: Channels for Relief and Support

For those looking to assist communities affected by Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica, several channels are available:

• Jamaican Red Cross: The organization is actively involved in providing relief and support to affected families. Donations can be made through their official website or local branches.
• Food For The Poor Jamaica: This charity is coordinating efforts to deliver food, water, and essential supplies to the most affected areas.
• Government of Jamaica’s Relief Fund: The government has set up a relief fund to aid in recovery and rebuilding efforts. Contributions can be made through designated bank accounts and official portals.
• Local Community Drives: Numerous local community groups and NGOs are organizing donation drives for clothing, food, and other necessities. Participating in or contributing to these drives can provide immediate relief to those in need.

For more information on how to contribute, you can visit the respective websites of these organizations or contact local government offices for guidance on how to assist in recovery efforts​ (National Hurricane Center)​​ (YouTube)​.