Hurricane Beryl has been downgraded to a tropical storm after pummeling Texas with 100mph winds. The storm made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of Matagorda, Texas, at 4am Monday morning, before weakening as it moved inland.
Impact and Current Status:
- Landfall: Beryl struck the Texas coast near Matagorda, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and significant storm surges.
- Downgrade: By mid-morning, Beryl was downgraded to a tropical storm as it continued its path towards Houston.
- Power Outages: Hundreds of thousands of residents in eastern Texas experienced power outages due to the storm.
- Fatalities: Two fatalities have been confirmed in Houston due to falling trees.
Freeport Blaze: In the coastal town of Freeport, a house was engulfed in flames due to the storm. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, but the strong winds and heavy rain made firefighting efforts challenging. No casualties have been reported from the blaze.
Aftermath in Surfside Beach: Surfside Beach, another coastal community, has seen significant damage in the wake of Beryl. Flooding, wind damage, and debris have left the town struggling. Residents are beginning the arduous task of cleaning up and assessing the damage.
Government Response:
- Disaster Declaration: Acting Texas Governor Dan Patrick declared 120 counties disaster areas ahead of the storm.
- Evacuations and Warnings: Over a million residents were placed under hurricane warnings, with evacuations ordered in some areas.
- Suspensions: Schools, airports, and major oil shipping operations have been suspended.
Historical Impact: Beryl left a trail of destruction as a Category 5 hurricane through Mexico and the Caribbean before hitting Texas. The storm caused widespread damage and power outages, prompting extensive emergency responses.
Weather Forecast: The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and life-threatening storm surges continuing to affect areas of Texas throughout the day.
The National Hurricane Center has warned of heavy rainfall, strong winds and life-threatening storm surge to batter areas of Texas today.
More than a million people in Texas were placed under a hurricane warning, with Acting Texas Governor Dan Patrick declaring 120 counties to be disaster areas ahead of the storm and warned Beryl “will be a deadly storm”.
School systems, airports and major oil shipping operations have been suspended and will remain closed for the day on Monday.
