HOUSTON—Beryl was barreling through the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico towards Texas, expected to strengthen and become a hurricane again before reaching the coast on Sunday and making landfall the next day with heavy rains, strong winds, and dangerous storm surge.
A hurricane warning was issued for a large portion of the coast from Baffin Bay, south of Corpus Christi, to Sargent, south of Houston, with storm surge warnings also in place. Other areas were under tropical storm warnings.
“We anticipate the storm to hit somewhere along the Texas coast on Monday if the current forecast holds true,” said Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “If that happens, it is likely to be a Category 1 hurricane.”
As of Saturday night, Beryl was approximately 330 miles (535 kilometers) southeast of Corpus Christi with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center. It was moving northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).
Beryl, the earliest storm to reach Category 5 hurricane status in the Atlantic, caused at least 11 fatalities as it passed through the Caribbean earlier in the week. It then hit Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane, causing tree damage but no injuries or deaths before weakening to a tropical storm as it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula.
Texas officials cautioned residents along the entire coastline to brace for potential flooding, heavy rainfall, and strong winds.
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, serving as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is in Taiwan, issued a proactive disaster declaration for 121 counties.
“Beryl is a persistent storm, and the incoming winds and potential flooding will present a serious risk to Texans in its path upon landfall and as it moves across the state over the next 24 hours,” Mr. Patrick stated on Saturday.
Some coastal towns recommended voluntary evacuations in flood-prone low-lying areas, prohibited beach camping, and advised Fourth of July weekend tourists to relocate recreational vehicles from coastal parks.
Mitch Thames, a Matagorda County spokesperson, announced a voluntary evacuation request for the coastal regions of the county, approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) southwest of Houston.
“Our main priority is the safety and well-being of all our visitors and residents. I’m not as concerned about our residents. Those who live there are accustomed to this, they understand,” Mr. Thames mentioned.
In Corpus Christi, officials urged visitors to shorten their stays and return home early if possible. Residents were instructed to secure their homes by boarding up windows if needed and using sandbags to prevent potential flooding.
There has been continuous traffic at an Ace Hardware store in the city for the past three days as customers purchase tarps, rope, duct tape, sandbags, and generators, according to employee Elizabeth Landry on Saturday.
“They’re worried about the wind and rain,” she noted. “They want to be prepared just in case.”
Ben Koutsoumbaris, general manager of Island Market on Padre Island in Corpus Christi, mentioned a noticeable buzz about the approaching storm, with customers stocking up on food and beverages, especially meat and beer.
In Refugio County, north of Corpus Christi, officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for the county’s 6,700 residents.
Prior to hitting Mexico, Beryl caused devastation in Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados. Three fatalities were reported in Grenada, three in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, three in Venezuela, and two in Jamaica.
By Juan Lozano and Jim Vertuno
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