Hurricane Beryl Devastates Yucatan Peninsula

It’s hurricane season. An already active one, too. The Atlantic Season saw its first named storm, Alberto, form late last month and make landfall along the Mexican Coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Beryl formed not too long afterward and also became the first category-four hurricane to form in June. The latest models still hold Beryl making landfall in relatively the same spot as Alberto. The biggest difference is that Beryl is going to pack more punch than Alberto did.

Major Hurricane Beryl Heading Moving Closer to Yucatan Peninsula

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Hurricane Beryl is moving quickly across the Caribbean Sea after making landfall on some of the smaller islands earlier Monday morning. As of the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Beryl is a very strong and powerful category four hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 155MPH. This is a very dangerous and life-threatening storm.

The biggest threat yet to come from Hurricane Beryl is the storm surge. Yes, the winds will play a role in the overall damage that structures will sustain. However, it is the storm surge that will bring water from the Gulf of Mexico inland. The areas within the “cone of uncertainty” are already vulnerable to flash flooding. Tropical Storm Alberto just made landfall days ago.

As of the 11 pm AST 07/01/2024 Advisory update, Hurricane Beryl is now a very dangerous category five hurricane with a path still heading towards Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. As of 07/01/2024 the maximum sustained winds are at 160MPH. Landfall now looks to be curved towards the border between Mexico and Texas. All areas in the cone of uncertainty need to be on high alert. The last major hurricane that hit Texas was Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Areas to Watch Over the Coming Days

All islands within the Caribbean Sea and coastal areas of the Yucatan Peninsula must take heed of the severe threat that is to come. Currently, residents along the United States Gulf Coast are not under any threat of landfall due to the high-pressure heat system that sits along the Southeast states such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. It is this high-pressure system that is currently going to keep Hurricane Beryl tracking toward the Yucatan Peninsula.

However, later this weekend, that very same high-pressure heat system will taper off into the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, this potentially leaves room for Hurricane Beryl to make a small curve in the Northeast and potentially pose a threat to the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast areas. While there is no immediate threat to the United States Gulf Coast areas, these areas have been devastated by hurricanes numerous times in the past and are just as susceptible to flash flooding.

How to Prepare for Imminent Landfall

The best way to prepare for an imminent hurricane landfall is to stay ahead of the storm. Make sure that you are stocked up on all necessities. These necessities include clothing, important documents, at least a week’s worth of medications, non-perishable food items, a generator (if possible), batteries, flashlights, essential items for your pets (if you have any pets), a detailed evacuation route and rendezvous location.

Make sure that you have gas in your vehicle(s), your electronics are charged, and that you have a plan. Hurricane season can be one of the most nerve-wracking times of the year. While hurricanes are ‘predictable,’ it is important to stay alert. Never underestimate Mother Nature's power and the damage that can be done.

One for the Record Books

Hurricane Beryl continues to shatter records. First, it became the first recorded category four hurricane in June and then intensified into a shattering and monstrous category five hurricane within hours. After reaching category five status, it was learned that Hurricane Beryl was the first category five hurricane to form this early, by a matter of fifteen weeks, when Hurricane Emily did so in July 2005.

Hurricane Beryl stayed within category five status for over twelve hours before slightly weakening. Still on a west-northwest track at a speed of 22MPH, this catastrophic storm churns on towards the Yucatan Peninsula. Models currently forecast the storm to make landfall anywhere along the Mexico-Texas border but a significantly weaker storm than what it is now.

Landfall over Jamacia is imminent. The island is under a hurricane warning. Many worry that Jamacia will fall victim, the exact same way the Windward Islands just had a couple of days ago. Anyone in the path of the storm is asked to stay ahead of the storm and evacuate if you can do so early enough and safely. But for those on islands within the Caribbean Sea, evacuation can be harder to come by than what people think.