Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Texas coast near Matagorda early Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm, which had previously caused destruction and at least 11 deaths in the Caribbean, brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and a life-threatening storm surge to the region.Texas officials, led by Acting Governor Dan Patrick, have declared a state of emergency in 120-121 counties. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings for the Texas coast from Mesquite Bay to Port Bolivar, cautioning residents about potential flooding, power outages, and tornadoes. Some areas could see rainfall totals reaching up to 15 inches.Despite evacuation orders and warnings, officials expressed concern that not enough residents and beach vacationers had heeded calls to leave the affected areas. A mandatory evacuation was ordered in the Refugio district, where around 7,000 people live.The storm has already impacted the region’s infrastructure and economy, forcing the closure of major oil ports and causing flight cancellations. As Beryl moves inland, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm on Monday and a tropical depression by Tuesday. Its path is projected to take it through eastern Texas, Arkansas, and parts of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys in the coming days.Meteorologists and officials continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that the storm’s effects could persist even as it weakens. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay vigilant and follow local authorities’ instructions as the situation develops.
Key points
- Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Texas coast near Matagorda as a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds.
- Texas officials declared a state of emergency in 120-121 counties, with warnings issued for flooding, power outages, and tornadoes.
- The storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland, affecting eastern Texas, Arkansas, and parts of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.
- Despite warnings, officials are concerned that not enough residents have evacuated the affected areas.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of counties under a state of emergency, with some sources citing 120 and others 121.
👾While most sources report Beryl as a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, one source suggests it could regain strength to become a Category 2 hurricane before landfall.
