The storm, previously a hurricane when it barreled through Jamaica and the Caribbean earlier this week and made landfall on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Friday morning, has left at least 11 people dead in its wake. It weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across the Yucatan but is expected to strengthen again to a hurricane as it makes its way toward Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
At 1 p.m. Texas local time, Beryl was about 415 miles southeast of Corpus Christi in the Gulf of Mexico and was traveling west-northwest at 12 mph. It's expected to turn to the northwest on Saturday, then north-northwest by Sunday night and reach the Texas coast late Sunday or early Monday after re-strengthening as a Category 1 hurricane.
Its winds were up to 60 mph Saturday, with higher gusts. Little strengthening is expected Saturday, but the storm should intensify Sunday.
A hurricane watch stretched from the mouth of the Rio Grande all the way to San Luis Pass. On Saturday, the National Hurricane Center also announced a tropical storm warning for the Texas coast south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
The northeastern coast of mainland Mexico from Barra el Mezquital to the mouth of the Rio Grande was also under a tropical storm watch. A storm surge watch was in place from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to High Island. Additional watches and warnings are likely, the hurricane center said.
∎ At least 11 people were killed in Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and northern Venezuela after Beryl tore through, officials have said. There were no casualties in Mexico.
∎ Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record. With its rapid intensification, Beryl became a hurricane within 24 hours of formation. Within another 24 hours, its winds had increased 55 mph, reaching 130 mph, almost a Category 4 hurricane.
Shop now, not later. That's what Raoul Martinez, who owns a hardware store in Corpus Christi, Texas, is reminding his customers as Beryl takes a turn toward the city.
"GET EVERY BATTERY CHARGED in your household," Martinez posted from the No Hassle Tools and More Facebook page early Saturday. "Have a chainsaw on hand to cut away any debris. Cut your grass now so it don’t grow like crazy. Tie down kids playgrounds and animal houses."
It's worked out, and worried but calm customers are buying necessities, he told USA TODAY. Martinez vowed his store will be open through the storm as long he can reach the store safely.
"There are people who are going to be in need and we will never know until it happens," he said. "I have tools for everything, and I want to be at people's disposals and it's OK for me."
Martinez reminded people to cut their lawns as the area hasn't seen much rain, and overgrown grass will make for trouble well after the storm hits. He encouraged people to buy items from small businesses and convenience stores in stressful times like this.
"Beat the rush," Martinez said. "A lot of us small businesses are taking the time out and there are little stores selling water, sand bags, and I'm at least staying open for people. Don't just depend on those big box stores. "
Voluntary evacuations were in place in some counties along the Texas coast.
Aransas County urged residents to evacuate but made it voluntary. Emergency officials there said anyone who lives in an RV should evacuate, as well as those in low-lying areas.
Matagorda County warned residents that floodwaters from the storm could trap them in their homes and called for voluntary evacuations in coastal areas of the county.
"The biggest concern for this situation is the coastal areas of our County. Low lying areas that normally flood are impacted," the county said in a news release on Friday.
Sandbags were being distributed in the City of Kingsville in Kleberg County as voluntary evacuation was underway in Baffin Bay, Loyola Beach and all low-lying areas of the county.
Sandbag distribution has ended for the day at 1300 E. Corral. It will continue tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Proof of...
As Beryl strengthens over the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters said Texans will already be feeling its impact Saturday ahead of its arrival.
"The exact location of Beryl's landfall is uncertain at this point, but what's most important is that heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge are expected for much of the state's coastline and portions of the central Gulf Coast beginning tonight into Sunday," the Weather Prediction Center said early Saturday.
Swells and "life-threatening" surf and rip currents caused by the storm are also not far off.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to start hitting Texas' coast on Sunday night.
Multiple large urban areas in Texas, including Houston, Austin and San Antonio, lie in the storm's broad path of projection, and it's still uncertain exactly where the hurricane will pass through. Most of the state will feel at least some impacts from the storm.
The weather service in Corpus Christi also said south Texas should prepare for power outages.
About 3 to 5 feet of storm surge is likely around areas along the coast, and "the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves," the hurricane center said. The storm surge will impact areas from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass, Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, between the mouth of the Rio Grande to Baffin Bay, San Luis Pass to High Island and Galveston Bay.
Heavy rain and flash flooding are some of the greatest threats, forecasters warned. About 5 to 10 inches of rain and up to 15 inches in some areas will inundate the Texas Gulf Coast and parts of eastern Texas starting late Sunday and into next week. Flooding is likely wherever Beryl passes, Patrick said.
Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Doyle Rice and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY; Cross Harris and Alexis Simmerman, the Austin American-Statesman ; Reuters
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