The Gulf of Coast saw its first touchdown of Hurricane Beryl. Overnight storms swelled on the shorelines of Texas as the dangerous weather system moved in to threaten the state with flash floods and deadly conditions.
After sweeping through Jamaica and Mexico, the death toll stands at nine people so far. The deadly Category 1 storm will batter Texas for the rest of the day before moving forward through the continental United States.
Where Has the Storm Reached So Far?
The eye of the storm has reached the coast of Matagorda Bay, which is between Corpus Christi and Galveston.
The National Hurricane Center confirmed ongoing updates, which included winds of 80 mph and expected surges that could threaten human life in Texas.
Dry Areas of Texas at Risk of Flooding
Ordinarily, dry and inland areas of Texas are expected to be inundated with water. Residents are being warned that swells of floods can be expected along the coast from Corpus Christi to Louisiana.
The deluge of water on the coast is expected to bring as much as 10 inches of rain in some locations.
How the State Is Preparing
Acting Governor Dan Patrick said in a statement that as many as 121 counties in Texas were subject to state disaster declarations in anticipation of the deadly event.
State troopers are filling sandbags in front of south Texas homes while residents quickly board their windows and doors to mitigate damage like flooding and broken glass.
Schools Will Be Closed
The Houston Independent School District announced over the weekend that all campuses will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, and new information will be released on Tuesday night.
A few tornadoes will also be possible along the coast. The risk will likely spread to east Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas as early as Monday afternoon.
Warnings To Stay out of the Ocean
Popular surf locations have been warned that waves will reach 8 to 10 feet in Galveston on Sunday night. The National Hurricane Center called for “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” along all coastal areas.
Residents and visitors are warned to seek shelter and stay out of harm’s way while the hurricane moves through. Although surfers can often take risks to experience once-in-a-lifetime conditions, the rip tides will be extremely dangerous, and death could be imminent.
Where Has Hurricane Beryl Moved Through?
The hurricane’s journey has taken it across the Caribbean before it entered the Gulf Coast of Mexico. At times, the storm reached as high as a Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It hit the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico before becoming invigorated with warm air on the shores of Texas.
What Is Next on the Path?
After moving through the Gulf of Mexico on Monday morning, the storm is expected to move through the Texas panhandle and the rest of the country.
Northern suburbs are expected to receive heavy rains. Due to the dry conditions in many of these areas, flooding is expected. When the ground is dry and fractured, it can’t absorb excess water, so residents are warned to prepare their homes for such conditions.
Hurricane Season Becoming More Deadly
In recent years, the increase in ocean water levels, coupled with extreme temperatures, has made the hurricane season more violent.
The forecast for this year and coming seasons will prove to only intensify and cause more destruction unless more concrete changes can be made to alter the course of storms.
Dangerous Storms Present in Texas for Months
Since early spring, Texas has been battered by heavy rains and storms, causing millions in damage and killing several residents.
More than 1 million people were left without power in May as a powerful storm and deadly winds moved through Houston. During the event, 4 people were killed by falling debris and trees from intense winds.
Data From the Air Force Shows Harsh Conditions
The National Hurricane Center data from the Doppler radar and reports from the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter confirmed that the storm had reached more than 75 mph winds.
Officials hoped the hurricane would cool down into a tropical storm before it hit the United States. However, it seems to only be intensifying.
Nine Deaths Recorded So Far
The storm has already caused nine deaths reported between July 1 and 4.
The deaths were located across St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Venezuela, and Jamaica.
