Beryl regained hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday night as it approached the Texas coast. As of 1 a.m. Monday, the Category 1 storm had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It was located about 30 miles south-southeast of Matagorda and was moving north-northwest at 10 mph. Landfall is expected soon.
Beryl is expected to make landfall early Monday morning. Residents should prepare for very windy and rainy conditions from overnight tonight through Monday afternoon. Winds of 50 mph and higher, heavy rain, and coastal flooding are possible. Power outages are also anticipated in many areas.
Monday is forecasted to be rough across the Houston-Galveston area. A large swath of 40-70 mph winds is expected for cities like Freeport, Bay City, Wharton, Rosenberg, and possibly Sugar Land, Katy, and by midday, the Greater Houston area.
Galveston Island and bay communities face a storm surge of 3-6 feet, covering low-lying roads, which may be impassable in some areas, especially near landfall in Matagorda and Coastal Brazoria Counties.
Rainfall could range from 5-10 inches, which raises concerns of flooding on Monday. However, Beryl’s fast-moving nature will help limit the duration of heavy rain.
Residents are advised to stay indoors on Monday, be prepared for power outages, and have necessary supplies such as medicines, non-perishable food, and pet food ready.
The Town of Quintana has issued a mandatory evacuation.
A tornado watch is in effect until 10 a.m. Monday for Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, and Montgomery counties. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect from Mesquite Bay to Sabine Pass, including Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Texas coast from Mesquite Bay northward to Port Bolivar. Additionally, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Texas coast south of Mesquite Bay to Port Mansfield and from San Luis Pass to Sabine Pass.
Acting Governor Dan Patrick has expanded the state’s disaster declaration to include 121 counties. The Texas Division of Emergency Management has increased the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center, and agencies are working around the clock.
To prepare for the storm, residents should have a disaster preparedness kit ready with essential supplies such as food, water, first aid supplies, and flashlights.