Texas Braces for Hurricane Beryl’s Impact, Coastal Areas on High Alert: What You Need to Know

TEXAS – Coastal residents are being urged to prepare for Hurricane Beryl as the tropical storm is expected to regain hurricane strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

After causing significant damage in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the resort town of Tulum, Beryl is forecasted to intensify and make landfall in Texas early Monday.

Beryl’s Predicted Path

The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicts that Beryl will regain hurricane strength by Sunday before hitting Texas.

Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the center, stated that the storm could land “somewhere on the Texas coast” by Monday, potentially as a Category 1 hurricane.

Meteorologists are watching Beryl closely as it churns through the Gulf with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 125 miles from its center.

As of Sunday morning, Beryl was centered 225 miles south-southeast of Matagorda and 220 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, moving northwest at 12 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.

To be classified as a Category 1 hurricane, its winds need to reach at least 74 mph.

Emergency Declarations and Evacuations

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, acting governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is in Taiwan, has issued a preemptive disaster declaration for 121 counties.

Patrick warned of the potential for heavy rain and localized flooding across Texas, including areas near College Station, Tyler, and Texarkana.

He urged Texans to heed local officials’ advice and prepare before the storm’s landfall.

Refugio County, just north of Corpus Christi, ordered a mandatory evacuation on Saturday.

Similarly, Port Aransas on a barrier island in Nueces County, issued a mandatory evacuation for visitors starting Sunday noon, with all Nueces County residents strongly encouraged to evacuate.

Refugio County Judge Jhiela “Gigi” Poynter emphasized the importance of caution, stating, “I would rather be cautious and let Tropical Storm Beryl come crawling in with a little bit of rain and a little bit of wind to an empty Refugio County than the alternative if it were to strengthen more than the predictions.”

Preparations and Warnings

Residents along the Texas Gulf Coast are bracing for up to 15 inches of rain, life-threatening storm surges, and powerful hurricane-force winds.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin late Sunday, with hurricane conditions on Monday.

The hurricane center has issued a hurricane warning from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass and a hurricane watch from Baffin Bay to the Rio Grande River and north of San Luis Pass to Galveston Island.

Portions of the Texas Gulf Coast could see storm surges up to 6 feet above ground. Residents are urged to follow local officials’ advice and evacuation orders.

Impact and Response

Beryl’s arrival follows a series of intense weather events. The storm previously hit Tulum, Mexico, as a Category 2 hurricane, causing damage but no reported injuries or deaths before weakening to a tropical storm.

The U.S. Coast Guard is preparing to respond to impacts and has urged boaters to take precautions.

Some Texas coastal cities have called for voluntary evacuations in flood-prone areas, banned beach camping, and urged tourists to leave early.

Matagorda County issued a voluntary evacuation request for coastal areas, emphasizing safety for both visitors and residents.

In Corpus Christi, officials asked visitors to shorten their trips and residents to secure their homes.

Corpus Christi Fire Chief Brandon Wade emphasized the seriousness of the storm during a news conference.

Historical Context and Ongoing Monitoring

Beryl is notable as the earliest storm to develop into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, having caused at least 11 deaths in the Caribbean islands earlier in the week.

Experts like Jeff Masters, co-founder of Weather Underground, caution that the warm Gulf waters could lead to rapid intensification, possibly making Beryl a major hurricane.

Traffic at local stores has surged as residents prepare, with essentials like tarps, rope, duct tape, sandbags, and generators in high demand. Businesses in the path of the storm are seeing increased activity as customers stock up on supplies.

Oil companies have also begun moving employees off rigs along the coast in anticipation of the storm. The region, already soaked by Tropical Storm Alberto just weeks ago, is bracing for another round of severe weather.

Final Preparations for Hurricane Beryl in Texas

Residents in southern Texas are urged to stay informed about Beryl’s progress. Emergency operations and local authorities are working diligently to ensure safety and minimize damage as the storm approaches.

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