FIRST OF THE SEASON: Hurricane Beryl's Historic Path / S8E21

In this week's episode of "On the Record" hosted by Jerome Sawyer, the focus is on Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season. The episode starts with an overview of the destruction caused by the hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 5 storm, unleashing unprecedented devastation across the Caribbean. Sawyer highlights the significant damage in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves describes the country as devastated, with 90% of houses on Union Island severely damaged or destroyed. The broadcast also covers the severe impact on Grenada, where Prime Minister Deon Mitchell calls the aftermath almost Armageddon-like, with extensive damage to buildings, agriculture, and natural environments.

The episode continues with a report on Jamaica's preparedness for Hurricane Beryl, featuring statements from Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who emphasises the government's state of readiness and the importance of community support. The segment includes updates on the evacuation of Bahamian students from Jamaica and the proactive measures taken by the Bahamian government to assist affected Caribbean nations. The program concludes with interviews and personal accounts from individuals affected by the hurricane, providing a comprehensive overview of the storm's impact and the ongoing recovery efforts.