The National Hurricane Center was watching Tropical Storm Beryl to see if it could reinstate a hurricane as it approached the Texas coast on Monday, and watches and warnings were issued Saturday for much of the Texas coast for flood-causing rainfall, storm surge and hurricane-force winds.
In its 10 a.m. update on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said a hurricane watch was in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande north to San Luis Pass south of Galveston. A tropical storm warning was in effect from Baffin Bay south to the Rio Grande. A storm surge watch was in effect south of High Island for most of the coast.
Beryl is forecast to approach the Texas coast and northeastern Mexico’s Matagorda Bay on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph, but it must first recover from its journey through the Yucatan Peninsula and the dry air and wind shear it has been battling in the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane center’s projected path for Beryl over the next five days includes most of the Texas coast.
On Saturday morning, Beryl was moving west-northwest with winds of 60 mph, about 460 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas.
The hurricane center said Saturday morning that the average error in the 48-hour forecast is about 70 miles, and because of the angle the hurricane is approaching Texas, that margin of error could have a big impact on where it will be most affected.
Beryl is expected to dump 5 to 10 inches of rain, with some areas getting as much as 15 inches, on coastal and eastern Texas between Sunday night and the middle of next week, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is also expected to bring a 2 to 5 foot storm surge and dangerous rip currents to coastal areas.
Texas residents, along with those in Louisiana, should be aware of flood zones and closely monitor the storm’s progress, according to the hurricane center.
“All of South Texas should be prepared for a hurricane,” Corpus Christi meteorologist Kirsten Snodgrass said in a Friday morning forecast update.
Although heat is a concern over the weekend, forecasters said now is the time for people living in Beryl’s path to make sure they are prepared, understand flood risk zones and check in on neighbours who may be particularly affected.
Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan told USA Today in March that it’s important to know your risks: “Know if you live in a storm surge evacuation zone.”
What is a Hurricane Watch?
A watch means hurricane-force winds of more than 74 mph are possible within 48 hours.
What is a Hurricane Warning?
The warning means hurricane-force winds of more than 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.
What is a Tropical Cyclone Warning?
The warning means tropical storm-force winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour are expected within the next 36 hours.
What is a Tropical Cyclone Watch?
The watch means tropical storm winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the next 48 hours.
What’s the weather forecast for Louisiana and Texas?
The storm’s winds have weakened significantly since it smashed through the Caribbean Sea, brushed Jamaica and made landfall along the Yucatan Peninsula, but forecasters at the National Hurricane Center aren’t sure what will happen once Beryl returns fully to the Gulf of Mexico.
Future wind strength will depend on how much of the central core remains intact, and its future path will depend on how strong Beryl becomes and how it interacts with atmospheric systems over the southern U.S. As of 10 a.m. CST on Saturday, Beryl was forecast to gradually strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph.
Regardless of the storm’s track or strength, life-threatening conditions are expected along much of the Gulf Coast later today and are forecast to continue through the weekend.
Track the Beryl forecast
Forecasters say it’s important to monitor the storm’s progress, but it’s important to remember that the Hurricane Center’s forecast cone only shows the projected path of the storm’s center — weather impacts can occur miles away.
How to prepare your home
If you’re in an area where strong winds from Hurricane Beryl are expected, here’s what you can do to prepare.
- Secure loose items in the yard that could be toppled by the wind, such as lawn furniture, grills and bicycles.
- Make sure you have an emergency kit and medical supplies in case you need to evacuate.
- Charge your phone
- Fill up or charge your car
- Help your neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable.
What is a storm surge?
Brennan said one of the biggest dangers in a hurricane is water, which includes storm surges, torrential rains and low tides. Storm surges occur when hurricane winds push water above normal high tides, raising sea levels and creating large waves on top of them. This is one of the most destructive forces in a hurricane.
Understanding Storm SurgeExplaining a fatal phenomenon with graphics
Kit preparation
If you live in low-lying areas that are at risk of flooding, you may be asked to evacuate and should bring an emergency “evacuation bag.” As of Friday, up to 10 inches of rain was forecast for coastal areas, with even more possible in isolated areas.. By Tuesday, the risk of flash flooding will extend east along the Gulf Coast into Louisiana.
Hurricane season is here:We will show you how to make a disaster prevention kit or “emergency bag”
Beryl’s Historic Journey
Beryl formed as a tropical depression on June 28, and strengthened into a tropical storm late that evening. Over the next few days, it broke records for rapid strengthening so early in the hurricane season. It became a hurricane within 24 hours. Within another 24 hours, its wind speeds increased from 55 to 130 miles per hour, nearly becoming a Category 4 hurricane.
Hurricane Beryl:A path through Caribbean history
Beryl struck the Windward Islands along the eastern Caribbean coast, causing widespread damage in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, with over 90% of homes and buildings destroyed or severely damaged on at least three islands. After striking the islands, Beryl reintensified, becoming a Category 5 storm, with sustained winds of 165 mph on the morning of July 2.
Dinah Voyles Pulver and Doyle Rice cover climate and the environment for USA TODAY. Dinah can be reached at dpulver@usatoday.com, and Doyle can be reached at drice@usatoday.com.
