As Beryl came ashore in Matagorda, Texas, power outages have been steadily increasing along the Texas coast. CenterPoint Energy in Houston reported that over 1 million homes and businesses were without power just hours after the storm hit. The storm brought heavy rains and powerful winds to Houston, leading to street closures and flood warnings across a wide area of the Texas coast.
The National Weather Service anticipated Beryl to weaken to a tropical storm on Monday and a tropical depression by Tuesday. The storm, which had caused destruction in Mexico and the Caribbean, made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with top sustained winds of 80 mph.
High waters closed roads in Houston, where flood warnings were in effect due to previous heavy storms. Flight cancellations at Houston's airports exceeded 1,000, and Beryl was expected to bring damaging winds to East Texas as it moved inland.
Despite weakening, Beryl regained hurricane status before hitting Texas. A hurricane warning remained in effect for the Texas coast, with the storm projected to move through eastern Texas and into the Ohio Valley by midweek.
Residents along the Texas coast took precautions, with some areas under evacuation orders. The storm's impact was felt in Port Lavaca, where preparations were made for potential flooding and high winds.
Beryl, an early Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, caused at least 11 deaths in the Caribbean. Its rapid intensification highlighted the warm waters fueling storm development in the region.
Texas officials warned of possible flooding, heavy rain, and wind along the entire coastline. The storm surge forecasted for Matagorda and surrounding areas prompted preparations similar to those made during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Flight disruptions and travel advisories were issued as Beryl approached, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled in Houston. Corpus Christi officials advised visitors to leave early, secure homes, and prepare for potential flooding.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed resources along the coast, and voluntary evacuations were recommended in flood-prone areas. Beryl's impact in Mexico and the Caribbean left a trail of destruction before reaching Texas.
As the storm progressed, residents and officials remained vigilant, bracing for the potential impact of Beryl's heavy rains and winds along the Texas coast.
