UK tourists in nine holiday hotspots hit with warnings as flights cancelled

Emily Chaplin
·3-min read
Wind blows coconut trees during the passage of Hurricane Matthew in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016
-Credit: (Image: AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)


Holidaymakers are facing cancelled flights, treacherous weather conditions, destruction to buildings and the loss of power and water in some areas as Hurricane Beryl rages through the Caribbean.

The hurricane made landfall on Monday in Carriacou, an island in Grenada, causing significant damage and leading to the deaths of at least seven people. It's the first June category four Atlantic hurricane in history and weather experts have warned that its effects could last for weeks.

The British Foreign Office has issued warnings for tourists who are visiting or have holidays planned in nine hotspots in the region. This includes Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Cayman Islands.

Read more: Foreign Office warns UK tourists 'all' domestic and international airports 'closed'

See below for the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office, as well as information on Hurricane Beryl's expected route and affected flights.

Where is Hurricane Beryl heading?

Hurricane Beryl has already passed over Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, hitting power and water supplies and leaving destroyed buildings in its wake. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the hurricane is scheduled to hit land in Jamaica with winds of up to 155mph by Wednesday evening and a hurricane warning is currently in place on the island.

The Cayman Islands are also bracing for the hurricane to hit on Thursday night. It's then expected to strike the eastern coast of Mexico on Friday night before reaching the south-eastern region and parts of Texas, US by the end of Sunday.

What is the Foreign Office's advice?

The UK Foreign Office has issued travel warnings to tourists in nine areas including popular holiday destinations like Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia and the Dominican Republic. The British government's advice for those visiting Jamaica or with trips planned reads: "Weather projections forecast a major hurricane to hit Jamaica, possible as early as the morning of Wednesday, July 3.

"International and domestic airports are closed from 22:00 local on Tuesday, July 2 and will only reopen when assessed safe to do so. You should follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities including any evacuation orders."

Tourists in Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Cayman Islands have been warned that weather conditions may affect local services, while those in the Dominican Republic have been told to expect heavy rain, strong winds and the risk of localised flooding.

A State of Emergency has been declared in Port-au-Prince until June 8, which can include a curfew between 10pm and 5am.

What flights have been affected?

Multiple airports in the Caribbean have been closed, so anyone with holidays planned in the area are advised to contact their travel provider for advice. Some UK airlines have cancelled certain flights to the region.

British Airways said it would continue to monitor the situation, while a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said 'some flights are subject to delays and cancellations' due to the closure of Barbados airport. It said that affected customers would be contacted regarding their travel arrangements.

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