Beryl has crossed the Yucatan Peninsula and is forecast to intensify as it fully emerges over the Gulf of Mexico, slamming into Texas as a hurricane as early as Monday. Due to that threat, the National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch for parts of the Texas Gulf Coast.
As of the last advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Beryl was located about 610 miles east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and a minimum central pressure of 989 mb or 29.21″. Beryl has weakened to a Tropical Storm but is forecast to re-intensify to hurricane status before impacting Texas.
A Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to Sargent. A Storm Surge Watch is now in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to Sargent. The Meteorological Service of Mexico has issued a Hurricane Watch for the northeastern coast of Mexico from Barra el Mezquital to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Storm Surge Watch means there is a possibility of life- threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. A west-northwestward motion is expected through tonight, with the center forecast to emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico during the next few hours. A turn toward the northwest is expected on Saturday, with the center of Beryl expected to approach the western Gulf coast late Sunday and Sunday night.
The NHC has these 4 key messages for the public:
Key Messages:
- There is an increasing risk of damaging hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas Coast late Sunday and Monday where Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches have been issued. Additional watches may be required tonight or early Saturday. Interests in these areas should follow any advice given by local officials.
- Flash and urban flooding are possible across portions of the Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas from Sunday through the middle of next week.
- Rip currents will cause life-threatening beach conditions through the weekend across much of the Gulf Coast. Beachgoers should heed warning flags and the advice of lifeguards and local officials before venturing into the water.
- Strong winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall will continue over northern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula this evening.
