Beryl, initially a Category 2 hurricane, made landfall in Tulum, Mexico, causing tree damage but no fatalities before weakening to a tropical storm. It later moved into the Gulf of Mexico, poised to regain strength. The storm, noted for its rapid intensification to Category 5 in the Atlantic, had already claimed 11 lives across the Caribbean.
By Friday afternoon, Beryl’s center hovered off Mexico, about 615 miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, with sustained winds of 60 mph. Predictions suggested it could become a hurricane again before hitting south Texas by late Sunday or early Monday, prompting hurricane watches along the Texas coast.
In anticipation, Texas officials issued disaster declarations and urged coastal residents to prepare. Some counties initiated voluntary evacuations in low-lying areas. Corpus Christi distributed 10,000 sandbags rapidly, illustrating preparation efforts as officials braced for potential impacts.
Beryl’s Journey from Caribbean Devastation to Texas Preparedness
Reflecting on its earlier devastation, Beryl had caused significant damage in Caribbean islands like Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados, resulting in fatalities and widespread infrastructure damage. Jamaica, with 55% still without electricity, faced ongoing challenges.
In Mexico, where Beryl also made an impact, emergency measures included evacuations and shelter preparations. Despite power outages affecting tens of thousands, the storm’s passage through Tulum left no reported casualties, though cleanup efforts were extensive.
As preparations intensified in Texas, including the mobilization of oil company personnel away from offshore rigs, the storm’s trajectory remained uncertain. The affected regions remained vigilant, adapting plans amid the unpredictability of Beryl’s path and potential impact.
