Warnings have been issued for a series of Caribbean islands ahead of the unseasonal arrival of a major hurricane, bringing “potentially catastrophic” 130 mph winds.
Hurricane Beryl was due to hit the region as early as today local time and could last into next week.
The Foreign Office issued travel warnings for Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.
More: More Aer Lingus flights cancelled until end of week
Virgin Atlantic cancelled flights to Barbados and St Vincent yesterday and today because of the closure of Grantley Adams international airport in Barbados.
Flights by American Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways and Delta Air Lines using St Lucia’s Hewanorra international airport have been cancelled today (Monday).
The US National Hurricane Center described Beryl as a “very dangerous” Category 4 hurricane, expected to bring “life-threatening winds and storm surge” to parts of the Windward Islands.
The latest advisory said on Sunday night: “Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the Windward Islands tomorrow morning.
“This is a very dangerous situation and residents in these areas should listen to local government and emergency management officials for any preparedness and/or evacuation orders.
“Potentially catastrophic hurricane-force winds, a life-threatening storm surge and damaging waves are expected.”
Islands described as being at the highest risk are St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, with heavy rainfall and localised flooding projected across the Windward Islands throughout Monday.
“Beryl is expected to remain a powerful hurricane as it moves across the Caribbean Sea later this week,” there US centre added.
“A tropical storm watch is in effect for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.”
People elsewhere in Haiti, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the remainder of the northwestern Caribbean “should monitor its progress” with additional watches and warnings likely to be required this week.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “Due to forecast adverse weather conditions expected to be caused by Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, we are working with airports and partners to minimise disruption but due to the closure of Barbados airport, unfortunately, our Barbados flight which continues on to St Vincent is subject to cancellations.
““We are contacting affected customers regarding their travel arrangements.
“We’d like to thank them for their patience and understanding and recommend that all customers due to travel to or from Barbados airport over the next 48 hours check the status of their flight on virginatlantic.com before going to the airport.
“The safety and comfort of our customers and people is always our top priority.”
Updated Foreign Office advice for Trinidad and Tobago said: “Weather projections forecast a major hurricane to hit the region possibly as early as Sunday 30 June and into the following week.
“You should follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Centre and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”
The St Vincent and the Grenadines government said in the latest in a series of weather advisories: “Large and destructive waves/swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.”
A flash flood warning was also issued.
Beryl is the earliest Category 4 hurricane on record in the Atlantic and the only one with that intensity recorded in June, according to experts. The Caribbean hurricane season usually starts around mid-August.