Hurricane Beryl approaches Texas: State on alert

Editor’s note: Read USA TODAY’s live coverage of Beryl on Sunday, July 7, including the storm’s track toward Texas.

Flooding, rainfall, storm surge and hurricane-force wind warnings and alerts were in effect along much of the Texas coast on Saturday, while the National Hurricane Center is monitoring whether Tropical Storm Beryl will re-strengthen into a hurricane as it approaches the Texas coast on Monday.

In its 10 a.m. Central Time update on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said a hurricane warning is in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande in the north to San Luis Pass south of Galveston. A tropical storm warning is in effect south of Baffin Bay to the Rio Grande. And a storm surge warning is in effect south of High Island, which is almost the entire coast.

Beryl is forecast to make landfall in Matagorda Bay, the Texas coast, and northeastern Mexico on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (140 kph). But first it must recover from its path over the Yucatan Peninsula and the dry air and wind shear it encountered in the Gulf of Mexico. Almost the entire Texas coast lies within the hurricane center’s potential forecast for the center of Beryl’s path over the next five days.

As of Saturday morning, Beryl had winds of 60 mph and was located about 460 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, and moving west-northwest.

The average forecast error over the next 48 hours is about 70 miles, the hurricane center said Saturday morning. Because of the angle at which the storm is heading toward Texas, that margin of error can make a significant difference in where the greatest impacts occur.

According to the hurricane center’s forecast, Beryl will bring 5 to 10 inches of rain to Texas from Sunday evening through the middle of next week, with as much as 15 inches in some places. The storm is also expected to bring a storm surge of 2 to 5 feet along the coast and dangerous surf backflows.

According to the hurricane center, Texas residents, like Louisiana residents, should be aware of their flood zones and closely monitor the storm’s progress.

“All of South Texas should prepare for a hurricane,” wrote Kirsten Snodgrass, a Corpus Christi meteorologist, in an updated weather report Friday morning.

While the heat over the weekend is a concern, residents living in Beryl’s possible catchment area should now make sure their preparations are complete. They should learn about their flood plain and check on their neighbours, especially those who may be at risk, forecasters said.

Knowing your risk is important, Michael Brennan, director of the hurricane center, told USA TODAY in March. It’s about “knowing if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone.”

What is a hurricane warning?

A warning means that hurricane-force winds exceeding 74 miles per hour are possible within 48 hours.

What is a hurricane warning?

A warning means that hurricane-force winds exceeding 74 miles per hour are expected within 36 hours.

What is a tropical storm warning?

A warning means that tropical storm force winds of 39-73 mph are expected within 36 hours.

What is a tropical storm warning?

A warning means that tropical storm force winds of 39-73 mph are possible within 48 hours.

What is the forecast for Louisiana and Texas?

After the storm swept through the Caribbean, brushed against Jamaica, and made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula, its winds have diminished significantly. However, meteorologists at the hurricane center aren’t entirely sure what will happen when Beryl fully re-enters the Gulf of Mexico.

Its future wind strength depends on how much of its core remains intact, and its future path depends on how strong Beryl becomes and how it interacts with atmospheric systems over the southern United States. At 10 a.m. CT on Saturday, the weather forecast predicted that Beryl would gradually intensify over the Gulf and make landfall on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph.

Regardless of the direction or intensity of the storm, life-threatening beach conditions are expected along much of the Gulf Coast later today and are forecast to continue through the weekend.

Follow Beryl’s forecast

Meteorologists say it’s important to monitor the storm’s path, but keep in mind that the hurricane center’s forecast cone only shows the likely path of the storm center. Weather impacts could occur many miles away.

How to prepare your home

If you are in an area where strong winds are possible in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, here are some things you can do to prepare.

Secure loose items in your yard that could be blown over, such as garden furniture, barbecues, bicycles, etc.
Check your emergency bag and medical supplies in case you need to evacuate
Charge your phone
Refuel or charge your vehicle
Help your neighbors, especially if they are at risk.

What is a storm surge?

Brennan said water is one of the biggest hazards in a hurricane, along with storm surge, heavy rain and rip currents. A storm surge occurs when a hurricane’s winds push water higher than normal tides, causing sea levels to rise and then creating large waves. It is one of the most destructive forces in a hurricane.

Understanding storm surgeGraphics explain the deadly phenomenon

Preparing a kit

If you live in a low-lying area prone to flooding, you may be asked to evacuate and take an emergency bag with you. Rainfall of up to 25cm has been forecast in coastal areas from Friday, with even higher amounts in remote areas.. There is a risk of flash flooding extending along the Gulf Coast as far east as Louisiana through Tuesday.

Hurricane season is here:How to put together your emergency kit or “Go Bag”

Beryl’s historic journey

Beryl formed as a tropical depression on June 28 and developed into a tropical storm later that evening. Over the next few days, it broke records for its rapid intensification so early in the hurricane season. Within 24 hours of its formation, it became a hurricane. Within the next 24 hours, its winds had increased by 55 mph, reaching 130 mph, nearly a Category 4 hurricane.

Hurricane Beryl:A historic route through the Caribbean

Beryl struck the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean, causing widespread destruction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. On at least three islands, over 90% of homes and buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. After passing through the islands, Beryl again strengthened, becoming a Category 5 storm. On the morning of July 2, it reached wind speeds of up to 265 km/h.

Dinah Voyles Pulver and Doyle Rice cover climate and environment for USA TODAY. Reach Dinah at [email protected] and Doyle at [email protected].

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