Houston now at risk of life-threatening storm as Beryl’s path shifts eastward

Since Friday, the path of Tropical Storm Beryl has changed significantly, exposing the Houston metropolitan area to high winds and heavy rain. As the hurricanes approach, our forecasts are becoming clearer as to who will make landfall in the United States this year.

Residents in the area between the U.S.-Mexico border and Galveston Bay now face the possibility of Tropical Storm Beryl making landfall Monday afternoon. The highest probability of Beryl making landfall is somewhere around Corpus Christi to the north. Beryl is expected to make landfall Monday afternoon, with rain and wind beginning Sunday evening.

Tropical Storm Beryl, which made landfall Friday morning on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, has weakened significantly due to its movement over land and unfavorable environmental conditions. The storm’s lack of coherence has caused its track to shift farther north than previously forecast. An upper-level low to Beryl’s west is also contributing to the northward shift, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Although currently a tropical storm, Beryl is expected to encounter warm waters, a key factor in tropical cyclone strengthening. The NHC predicts Beryl will regain strength and become a Category 1 hurricane, with winds reaching up to 92 mph by Monday morning before making landfall.

Heavy rains are a major problem in Beryl. Some areas of the state could receive between 6 and 15 inches of rain. Houston could receive between 6 and 8 inches, while San Antonio could receive between 2 and 4 inches. Flash flooding is a dangerous hazard to watch out for.

Storm surge from Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to bring 2 to 5 feet of water to the Texas coast. Residents of Galveston, Matagorda and Corpus Christi Bays will experience rising sea levels and are at risk of additional flooding. Low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Rip currents are already a threat to all Texas beaches, and boating will become hazardous as Beryl approaches the Lone Star State. People are advised to avoid entering the water until the storm system has passed.

As Beryl approaches the United States, residents in Matagorda Bay and the north should prepare their homes for the storms ahead. Think about how your home would hold up in a typical storm, then imagine a powerful storm that lasts for hours or even days. Use that assessment to determine what precautions you should take, such as boarding up windows or getting sandbags.

Stay informed by checking LoneStarLive.com’s weather updates for the latest information on Tropical Storm Beryl as it heads directly toward Texas.