The National Weather Service is predicting Beryl will soon reach hurricane status for the second time. Beryl is expected to be a hurricane prior to making landfall on the Texas coast, which will impact all of southeast Texas. Montgomery County and all surround counties are included in current watches and warnings. Here’s the latest update from the National Weather Service:
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Beryl Local Watch/Warning Statement/Intermediate Advisory Number 36A
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX AL022024
108 PM CDT Sun Jul 7 2024
This product covers Southeast Texas
*BERYL BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED AND FORECAST TO BECOME A HURRICANE BEFORE LANDFALL*
NEW INFORMATION —————
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Houston, Madison, Montgomery, Northern Liberty, Polk, San Jacinto, Southern Liberty, Trinity, Walker, and Washington
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
– A Storm Surge Warning, Hurricane Warning, and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Brazoria Islands
– A Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning are in effect for Coastal Brazoria, Coastal Jackson, Coastal Matagorda, and Matagorda Islands
– A Storm Surge Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Galveston Island
– A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Inland Jackson and Inland Matagorda
– A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for Bolivar Peninsula, Chambers, Coastal Galveston, and Coastal Harris
– A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fort Bend, Grimes, Houston, Inland Brazoria, Inland Galveston, Inland Harris, Madison, Montgomery, Northern Liberty, Polk, San Jacinto, Southern Liberty, Trinity, Walker, Waller, Washington, and Wharton
* STORM INFORMATION:
– About 230 miles south of Galveston TX or about 190 miles south-southeast of Matagorda TX
– 25.9N 95.1W
– Storm Intensity 65 mph
– Movement Northwest or 325 degrees at 10 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW ——————
Tropical Storm Beryl continues to become better organized this morning as it remains on a northwestward track towards the Texas Coast. It is forecast to strengthen to Category 1 Hurricane status later today and make landfall near the east side of Matagorda Bay tomorrow morning. Beryl is expected to present multiple hazards to the area. These include the prospect for Hurricane Force winds in and around the Matagorda Bay area, as well as Tropical Storm Force winds for the rest of SE Texas (as far north as Houston County). Additionally, 3-6 ft of storm surge inundation is expected along the immediate coast. Rainfall totals of 5-10 inches are possible with locally higher amounts of up to 15 inches. Continue to monitor the progress of Beryl as changes in the track and intensity could still result in changes to the expected impacts.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS —————–
* WIND: Protect against life-threatening wind having possible extensive impacts across regions surrounding Matagorda Bay. Potential impacts in this area include:
– Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks.
– Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over.
– Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
– Large areas with power and communications outages.
Also, protect against dangerous wind having possible limited to significant impacts across the rest of Southeast Texas.
* SURGE: Protect against life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts across the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast. Potential impacts in this area include:
– Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
– Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low spots.
– Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and numerous rip currents.
– Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in unprotected anchorages.
* FLOODING RAIN: Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across Southeast Texas. Potential impacts include:
– Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
– Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
– Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
* TORNADOES: Protect against a dangerous tornado event having possible significant impacts across the Southeast Texas coastal counties. Potential impacts include:
– The occurrence of scattered tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
– Several places may experience tornado damage with a few spots of considerable damage, power loss, and communications failures.
– Locations could realize roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished, boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, vehicles tumbled, and small boats tossed about. Dangerous projectiles can add to the toll.
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across the rest of Southeast Texas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ———————————-
* EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials.
* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county or parish in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don’t drown!
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: – For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov – For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org – For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE ———–
The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Houston/Galveston TX around 4 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
