Jamaicans on edge as storm passes

Officials concerned about storm surge, heavy rainfall as Caymans, Mexico prepare for threat

A worker boards up windows at the Urban Development Corporation Building in Kingston, Jamaica, ahead of hurricane Beryl on Wednesday. Forecasters warned of potentially deadly winds and storm surges.

A Hurricane Beryl was roaring by Jamaica Wednesday, bringing fierce winds and heavy rain after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least seven people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Beryl’s eyewall was “brushing the south coast of Jamaica.”

Wind-whipped rain pounded the island for hours as residents heeded authorities’ call to shelter until the storm had passed. Power was knocked out in much of the capital.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said late Wednesday that nearly 500 people were placed in shelters.

By evening, he said that Jamaica has not seen the “worst of what could possibly happen.”

“We can do as much as we can do, as humanly possible, and we leave the rest in the hands of God,” Holness said.