Hurricane Beryl Expected to Rapidly Weaken as It Moves Inland Across Texas

Hurricane Beryl struck Texas on Monday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, causing the closure of oil ports, the cancellation of hundreds of flights, and widespread power outages. The storm, which made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, is the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record this season, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Path of Destruction

Beryl wreaked havoc in Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines last week, resulting in at least 11 deaths and significant damage to buildings and power infrastructure. As it moved inland, Beryl continued to pose threats with life-threatening storm surges and damaging winds along the Texas coast.

Impact on Energy and Transportation

Texas, the leading U.S. state for oil and natural gas production, faced significant disruptions as the storm slowed refining activities and prompted evacuations at some production sites. Over 1,300 flights were canceled, and around 300,000 homes and businesses lost power.

Rapid Weakening Expected

The NHC reported that Beryl, which had intensified over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, was expected to weaken quickly. It was projected to downgrade to a tropical storm later on Monday and further weaken to a tropical depression by Tuesday. Located about 55 miles south-southwest of Houston, Beryl was moving at 12 mph and was expected to travel over eastern Texas before reaching the Lower Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley by midweek.

Preparations and Warnings

Acting Governor Dan Patrick declared 120 counties as disaster areas and warned residents to prepare for a potentially deadly storm. Schools were closed, and residents were urged to secure their homes and stock up on essentials.

Looking Ahead

While Beryl’s strength is expected to diminish rapidly as it moves further inland, the immediate impact on Texas’s infrastructure and energy production highlights the challenges posed by such powerful storms. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected areas.