Tornado warning: US state of Texas takes cover from "Beryl"
We must take "Beryl" very seriously. Our worst enemy is complacency," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. The residents should be aware that "the conditions under which you go to bed tonight may not be the same tomorrow," he warned on Sunday evening.
On Monday morning, "Beryl" appeared loudly near Matagorda, Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), with wind speeds of 130 kilometers per hour. The Nueces County authorities had previously called on vacationers to leave the region.
In neighboring Refugio County, a mandatory evacuation order was in effect. The residents of Galveston, south of Houston, were urged to evacuate voluntarily. Online videos showed long traffic jams leaving the city.
The hurricane had caused significant damage in its path through the Caribbean in the past few days, at least seven people lost their lives. "Beryl" was the first hurricane since record-keeping began in June to reach Category 4 strength at the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season. Later, it even reached the highest hurricane category, 5.
Crucial for the formation of hurricanes is the surface temperature of the sea. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the water temperature in the North Atlantic is currently between one and three degrees Celsius warmer than normal. NOAA expects an "exceptional" hurricane season this year with up to seven storms of Category 3 or higher.
- Residents in Houston should ensure their homes are properly covered during the tornadowarning, as Hurricane "Beryl" approaches with potential for flooding.
- Despite the tornado warning, vacationers in Matagorda, a US state in Texas, were initially advised to stay, but later, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a strong cover recommendation for them to evacuate.
- Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to prepare for unpredictable changes, stating, "the conditions in Houston tonight might not resemble those you wake up to tomorrow due to Hurricane 'Beryl' and potential flooding."
- The US state of Texas, including cities like Galveston, received a voluntary evacuation notice due to the threat of tornadoes and intense flooding caused by Hurricane "Beryl".
