Whirlwind - Texas prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl
Before reaching the coast of the US state of Texas, Atlantic Storm "Beryl" regained hurricane strength once again. The US National Hurricane Center NHC categorized it as a Category 1 hurricane after "Beryl" had wind speeds of around 120 kilometers per hour on Sunday evening (local time).
It is expected that the storm will continue to gain strength before making landfall, according to the agency. The storm center is currently in the Gulf of Mexico about 150 kilometers east of the Texas port city of Corpus Christi and is expected to make landfall between Corpus Christi and Galveston in the early morning hours (local time) on Monday.
The outskirts are making themselves felt with heavy rain, strong winds, and stormy seas, as local media reported. In parts of the state, the NHC expects flooding and flooding. For the upper part of the Texas coast and the metropolitan area of Houston, authorities warned of possible tornados.
Strong rain and wind are also expected in the northeastern part of Mexico.
Texas is preparing
In the threatened areas along the Texas coast, some residents and shopkeepers have reportedly boarded up their windows with plywood. However, many people did not follow the call of the authorities to take shelter. Vice Governor Dan Patrick declared a state of emergency in 121 counties. In Refugio County, where about 7000 people live, an evacuation order was issued. "Beryl" is expected to move north-eastward and pass over East Texas and Arkansas according to the forecasts by late Monday and Tuesday.
"Beryl" has been keeping people on edge for more than a week since it formed in the Atlantic at the end of June. In the southeastern Caribbean, it reached the highest hurricane strength, Category 5, which is sustained winds of more than 252 kilometers per hour. It passed over several islands in the Lesser Antilles, made landfall on the eastern coast of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, and then continued through the Gulf of Mexico.
Damage in Mexico and devastation in the Caribbean
"Beryl" uprooted trees and threw street signs around. In widely visited tourist regions between Tulum and Cancun, the power went out.
At least eleven people have died in the Caribbean, including three in Venezuela. The governments of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported that more than 90% of the houses were damaged or destroyed. Jamaica also experienced extensive damage and widespread power outages in some areas.
Climate change fuels strong storms like "Beryl"
Never before in the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins in June and lasts for half a year, has such a powerful storm struck so early. Warmer ocean water due to climate change makes strong cyclones more likely.
As "Beryl" approaches, the Gulf of Mexico's weather becomes increasingly stormy. The city of Galveston, Texas, is bracing for potential impacts. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Caribbean islands of Grenada and Jamaica, following its path from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In a remarkable whirlwind of destruction, "Beryl" has impacted several areas along its journey. It uprooted trees and caused power outages in the popular tourist destinations between Tulum and Cancun in Mexico. The devastation in the Caribbean has resulted in at least eleven fatalities, with three reported in Venezuela.
The governments of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have reported that over 90% of houses in these areas have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the storm. Jamaica has also experienced extensive damage and widespread power outages in certain areas.
Before reaching the coast of the USA, "Beryl" showcased its strength in the southeastern Caribbean, reaching Category 5 status with sustained winds over 252 kilometers per hour. This early-season storm is a stark reminder of how climate change can fuel strong cyclones like "Beryl."
As the storm approaches the Texas coast, some residents and shopkeepers have taken precautions by boarding up their windows with plywood. However, not all heeded the warnings of authorities, which included a state of emergency declaration in 121 counties and an evacuation order in Refugio County.
The storm is expected to make landfall between Corpus Christi and Galveston in the early morning hours and then move northeastward, potentially affecting East Texas and Arkansas by late Monday and Tuesday.
The US National Hurricane Center has warned that heavy rain and flooding are possible, especially in parts of the upper Texas coast and the metropolitan area of Houston, where authorities have also warned of potential tornadoes. Strong winds and stormy seas have already begun to impact the outskirts of Corpus Christi, the port city closest to the storm's current position in the Gulf of Mexico.
In the aftermath of the storm, recovery efforts will likely be extensive in both Mexico and the Caribbean, with the full extent of the damage yet to be fully understood. In light of this, the importance of climate change research and disaster prevention and response measures cannot be overstated.
