Beryl Approaches Texas: Hurricane Watch Issued

Photo: The New York Times

On Saturday, the National Hurricane Center issued multiple warnings for the Texas coast due to the imminent approach of Tropical Storm Beryl, which could regain hurricane strength by Monday. The warnings include flooding rainfall, storm surges, and hurricane-force winds.

The 10 a.m. Central update on Saturday indicated that a hurricane watch extends from the Rio Grande’s mouth to San Luis Pass, near Galveston. A tropical storm warning covers areas from south of Baffin Bay to the Rio Grande. Additionally, a storm surge watch is in effect south of High Island, covering most of the coast.

Forecasts predict that Beryl will hit Matagorda Bay on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with 85-mph winds, after recovering from its journey over the Yucatan Peninsula and contending with dry air and wind shear in the Gulf of Mexico. The entire Texas coast is within the hurricane center’s potential path forecast over the next five days.

As of Saturday morning, Beryl had 60-mph winds and was located about 460 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, moving west-northwest. The hurricane center noted an average forecast track error of about 70 miles at 48 hours, which could significantly affect the storm’s impact area due to its approach angle.

Beryl is expected to bring 5-10 inches of rain to Texas, with isolated areas receiving up to 15 inches, starting late Sunday and continuing through midweek. The storm may also cause storm surges of 2-5 feet along the coast and generate dangerous rip currents.

The National Hurricane Center advises Texas residents, and those in Louisiana, to be aware of their flood zones and closely monitor Beryl’s progress. Meteorologist Kirsten Snodgrass from Corpus Christi emphasized the importance of hurricane preparedness in a Friday update.

Despite the weekend’s heat, those in Beryl’s potential path should complete preparations, understand their flood zones, and check on vulnerable neighbors, forecasters warned.