Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Friday as a Category 2 storm, bringing powerful winds and heavy rainfall to the popular tourist region. The storm, which had earlier reached unprecedented strength for this time of year, has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean.

The Mexican civil protection agency issued a red alert, its highest warning level, as Beryl approached. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors or seek shelter, anticipating widespread power outages and potential flooding.

Despite being downgraded from its peak intensity, Beryl still packed winds of up to 160 km/h (100 mph) as it struck near Tulum. The hurricane’s impact is expected to be significant, with coastal areas at risk of storm surge and inland regions facing the threat of flash floods and landslides.

Before reaching Mexico, Beryl wreaked havoc across the Caribbean. At least 11 deaths have been reported in Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela as the storm traversed the region.

Beryl made history as the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic season, which officially began on June 1. Climate scientists point to this unprecedented early-season intensity as further evidence of the impact of human-caused climate change on tropical weather systems.

As global temperatures continue to rise, experts warn that hurricane seasons are likely to become longer and more severe. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is off to an ominous start with Beryl, raising concerns about what may lie ahead in the coming months.

Mexican authorities are now focused on emergency response and recovery efforts in the affected areas. The full extent of Beryl’s impact on the Yucatan Peninsula is yet to be determined as the storm continues to move inland.