In Barbados, the storm 4wrecked fishing boats and 5livelihoods. 

"Boats are sinking. As we're talking, there are boats sinking, do you understand? And it's total 6devastation." 

The U.N.'s climate chief said the eye of the storm had 7hit his home island of Carriacou in Grenada, and he was trying to reach family members there. 

"The island has been 8flattened. The reports that are coming out show a very, very 9distressing signal." 

There was precious little time to prepare as Beryl in 24 hours, exploded from a tropical storm to a major hurricane, capable of 10inflicting 11catastrophic damage. That rapid 12intensification is fueled by 13manmade climate change, which has caused the ocean to warm to 14unprecedented levels. 

The fuel that strengthens hurricanes: Images taken from a hurricane hunter aircraft flying through Beryl showed the kind of monster storm usually not seen until the height of hurricane season, still weeks away. 

Jamaica is next in Beryl's sights, and with a population of more than 2.8 million and a large tourism infrastructure, there is the potential for even greater devastation. 

Officials there activated emergency response measures and warned residents to get ready now. 

"It is easier to be prepared when you're standing on your two feet than when you are in the midst of a hurricane." 

15Low-lying islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The damage inflicted by Beryl could take years to recover from. Forecasters have delivered a record prediction for a 16hyperactive hurricane season that began June 1st. 

And with nearly five more months to go in the season, the pain and suffering may only be just beginning.