Tropical Storm Beryl is rapidly intensifying as it approaches the Texas coast, with forecasters now predicting it could make landfall as a Category 1 or possibly even a Category 2 hurricane early Monday morning. As of Sunday evening, Beryl was located about 265 km south-southeast of Matagorda, Texas, moving northwest at 19 km/h with sustained winds of 95 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h.The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued hurricane warnings for a large stretch of the Texas coast, from Baffin Bay to the north and to the Rio Grande. The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall of 5-10 inches, and a storm surge of up to 6 feet in some areas. Meteorologists attribute Beryl’s rapid intensification to unusually warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.Texas officials have urged thousands of coastal residents to evacuate, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Over 120 counties are under a disaster declaration, and authorities are advising residents to stock up on essentials and prepare to potentially ‘shelter in place’ for several days. The city of Bay City is providing a limited number of sandbags to residents.Beryl has already left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, causing at least 11 deaths. The storm made landfall in Mexico on Friday as a Category 2 hurricane, causing significant damage and power outages in popular tourist areas.In addition to the immediate storm threats, officials are warning of potential power outages that could exacerbate dangerous heat conditions, with heat indices forecast to reach as high as 108°F in some areas. The storm is also expected to cause significant disruptions to the region’s oil and fuel industries.Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed about the storm’s progress and follow all evacuation orders and safety instructions from local authorities.
Key points
- Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to make landfall in Texas as a Category 1 or possibly Category 2 hurricane early Monday.
- Texas officials have ordered evacuations for coastal areas, with over 120 counties under disaster declaration.
- The storm is expected to bring hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges up to 6 feet in some areas.
- Beryl has already caused at least 11 deaths in the Caribbean and significant damage in Mexico.
Contradictions👾There are varying predictions about Beryl’s strength at landfall, with some sources expecting a Category 1 hurricane and others suggesting it could reach Category 2.
