Hurricane Beryl has has made landfall in the Yucatan as a Category 2 storm, and has weakened to a Category 1 system. But it is where Beryl goes next week that has Texas officials watching closely.
The latest forecast cone, as of 10am Houston time, has Beryl making landfall early Monday morning further up the Texas coast than it had been previously. The trend over the last 24 hours has been north, and forecasters should have a better handle on where things stand by tomorrow.
The Greater Houston area would be on the 'dirty' side of Beryl if the trends continue. Forecasters believe our rain chances tick up beginning on Sunday, with the best chances for the heaviest rain coming Monday night and Tuesday.
Meteorologist Matt Lanza with Space City Weather and The Eyewall bottom lined it in a post on Friday:
For folks in the Rio Grande Valley: If you live in a flood prone area, keep an eye on the rainfall forecast for Beryl. Wind impacts will likely be confined to Brownsville and the coast.
For folks on the Lower and Middle Texas Coast and Coastal Bend region, including Corpus Christi: Prepare as if a hurricane is coming and make sure to follow local officials guidance in terms of evacuation if needed.
For folks in the Matagorda Bay area: Start making preparations in case the forecast shifts to the north and brings hurricane conditions closer to the area.
For folks in the Houston area: Continue to monitor trends today and tomorrow. Make whatever preps you feel comfortable making or you feel are warranted. Current forecasts keep most meaningful impacts beyond localized flash flooding away from us. Coastal residents prepare for at least minor to moderate tidal flooding.
In preparation for landfall, Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to increase the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response Conditions) effective Friday.
The Governor also instructed TDEM to begin readying state emergency response resources for potential deployment ahead of Hurricane Beryl.
“In preparation for potential landfall of Hurricane Beryl, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center starting tomorrow,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is prepared to quickly deploy all available emergency response resources to assist at-risk communities. As Texans and visitors around the south coastal areas begin to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, I urge them to make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, and continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Texas continues to closely monitor weather conditions to protect the safety and well-being of Texans.”
Keep checking in with KTRH over the next few days to get the latest on Beryl, and where the system is headed.