Hurricane Beryl hit Matagorda, Texas, early Monday, as reported by the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, a Category 1 hurricane, made landfall around 4 a.m. local time, affecting millions with intense storm surges and high winds.
With winds reaching up to 80 miles per hour, Beryl struck Matagorda, situated between Galveston and Corpus Christi. The hurricane is expected to bring destructive winds, severe storm surges, and up to 15 inches of rainfall in some areas. Though Beryl was initially a Category 5 hurricane in the Caribbean, it weakened while crossing the Yucatan Peninsula before regaining strength in the Gulf of Mexico.
Impact on Texas
Texas has declared a disaster for 121 counties and activated the National Guard and emergency teams. Authorities are urging people to evacuate, worried that not enough are heeding the warnings. Beryl has already caused at least 11 deaths in the Caribbean before moving into the Gulf.
Beryl’s hurricane-force winds could push as much as seven feet (2.1 meters) of water onto parts of the Texas coast. In anticipation, Exxon Mobil Corp. adjusted its operations on Sunday, and Freeport LNG reduced its activities, planning to resume once the storm passes.
Beryl’s Path of Destruction
Beryl began its destructive path in the Caribbean, causing significant damage and becoming the first early-season hurricane to reach Category 5 status this year. The storm’s rapid intensification raises concerns about more severe hurricanes developing quickly and bringing heavier rainfall, which many studies link to climate change.
