Bermuda has reached out to Grenada as the Caribbean nation was struck by the first major hurricane of the 2024 season.

Hurricane Beryl hit Grenada’s Carriacou Island at about noon today as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150mph.

In a statement, David Burt said Bermuda’s thoughts and good wishes were with Grenada.

The Premier said: “Hurricane Beryl is a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, so we are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of our friends and neighbours in the region.

“I have reached out to Dickon Mitchell, the Prime Minister of Grenada, to share that Bermuda is standing by to support Grenada in any way possible.”

The Premier had been scheduled to travel to Grenada this week for the 47th Regular Meeting of Caricom Heads of Government. The meeting was postponed because of the threat posed by the storm.

Warnings and watches have been issued in Jamaica, Martinique, St Lucia, Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the storm continues to blow through the southeastern and central Caribbean.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre said: “Fluctuations in strength are likely during the next day or so, but Beryl is expected to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as its moves over the eastern Caribbean.

“Some weakening is expected in the central Caribbean by midweek, though Beryl is forecast to remain a hurricane.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles.”

Pre-season forecasts have warned that the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season would be busier than usual because of unusually high water temperatures and the return of La Niña conditions.

Hurricane Beryl was the Atlantic’s first storm on record to reach Category 4 intensity in June.