Tropical Storm Beryl is currently heading towards the state of Texas in the United States and is expected to strengthen and re-intensify into a hurricane before approaching the coast on Sunday. Beryl is set to make landfall on Monday, with hurricane warnings already issued for the coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas.
Over the past few days, Beryl has caused destructive impacts on several islands in the Caribbean and the vacation coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, resulting in at least 7 deaths in the Windward Islands. It then skirted southern Jamaica, leading to communication disruptions, stranded tourists, and bringing storm surges and floods.
Earlier on Sunday, Beryl was still a tropical storm with winds of 60 miles per hour. The storm’s intensity has gradually increased over the past few hours.
The Texas coast is expected to be affected earlier on Sunday, with potential for flooding, destructive winds, and life-threatening storm surges. The National Hurricane Center urges residents in the affected areas to “complete preparations as soon as possible” before Sunday.
Hurricane warnings are in effect from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass, signifying the likelihood of sustained hurricane-force winds of 74 miles per hour or higher within the next 36 hours.
Storm surge warnings have been issued for Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Galveston Bay. During Monday morning’s peak storm period, tides in Mesquite Bay and Matagorda Bay may be 4 to 6 feet above normal.
Various other hurricane warnings, tropical storm warnings, and storm surge warnings are active along the Texas coast.
Dangerous storm surges of up to 6 feet are anticipated to impact large areas of the Texas coast from Sunday night to Monday, with rainfall totals reaching 10 to 15 inches that could trigger flash floods and urban flooding. Beryl’s powerful hurricane force may result in power outages and property damage.
Beryl is expected to make landfall near Matagorda Bay on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane. Weather conditions from Brownsville to Houston will deteriorate rapidly on Monday morning.
Texas officials are warning residents along the coastline to prepare for potential floods, heavy rainfall, and strong winds.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is currently on a visit to Taiwan, with Lt. Governor Dan Patrick acting in his place. Patrick has issued a preemptive disaster declaration for 121 counties, stating that the storm and potential flooding upon Beryl’s landfall and within the following 24 hours pose severe threats to Texans.
Some coastal cities are urging residents to voluntarily evacuate low-lying areas prone to flooding, camping on beaches is prohibited, and visitors traveling over the US Independence Day holiday weekend are advised to move recreational vehicles from coastal parks.
(This article references reports from ABC News, Associated Press, and Fox News.)