Live Updates on Beryl: Tropical Storm Regains Hurricane Strength as It Heads for Texas

Florida communities come together to help other communities affected by Hurricane Beryl.

The storm has killed at least nine people in the Caribbean and hit the island of Carriacou in Grenada earlier this week.

Floridians — no strangers to the power of hurricanes — have begun donating essential supplies and volunteering their time to prepare donated goods for shipment to hurricane-hit communities that need them most.

Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall in southeast Texas early Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane.

State officials issued a disaster declaration for 40 counties ahead of the storm’s arrival.

The National Weather Service issued several warnings for Tropical Storm Beryl Sunday ahead of its expected arrival in southeast Texas early tomorrow morning.

The agency issued a message warning of the possibility of a “life-threatening storm surge” late Sunday into Monday along the state’s coast.

The storm warning extends from “the northern entrance to Padre Island National Seashore to High Island, including Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Galveston Bay.”

The storm is expected to hit the coast with strong winds starting later tonight.

“Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring damaging, hurricane-force winds to portions of the Texas coast late tonight and Monday,” the National Weather Service warned. “A hurricane warning has been issued from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass. Prepare for tropical storm conditions late today.”

In addition to those warnings, the National Weather Service also noted that “flash and urban flooding” is expected “in portions of the central and upper Texas Gulf Coast and East Texas” through Monday night, with river flooding also possible.

The storm will also create dangerous rip currents along much of the Gulf Coast. Swimmers should watch for warning flags before entering the waters of the Gulf.

Joe Biden and administration officials are monitoring developments of Tropical Storm Beryl as it continues to move toward southeast Texas.

“We are in close contact with our state and local counterparts, and FEMA has prepared response personnel, search and rescue teams, bottled water, meals, tarps, and generators in case they are needed,” the White House said in a statement to reporters on Sunday. “On Sunday, FEMA activated the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) to further support local response efforts.”

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — who is acting governor while Gov. Greg Abbott travels abroad — issued a disaster declaration for 40 counties ahead of Beryl’s arrival as a Category 1 hurricane.

The declaration allows state resources to be used for preparatory work and recovery efforts.

Abbott advised Texans living in the storm’s path to start preparing now for the storm’s arrival.

The National Weather Service issued tropical storm and tornado warnings for the east coast of Texas Friday evening.

These warnings extend from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the San Luis Pass in the north.

Coastal Harris County is also under warning.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the northeastern coast of Mexico between Barra El Mezquital and the mouth of the Rio Grande.

Hurricane season, known for catastrophic flooding and high-speed winds in coastal areas of the United States, the Caribbean and Central America, is approaching, and emergency management officials are urging people to stay prepared.

In contrast to past hurricane seasons, this summer brings record-high temperatures nationwide and an early onset of storms. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, but most hurricanes typically occur in September and October, said Jimmy Hernandez, emergency management director for Hollywood on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Matagorda County emergency management officials called for a voluntary evacuation Friday night for residents living and visiting the state’s coast ahead of Beryl’s arrival on Sunday.

The voluntary evacuation includes residents of Sargent, Matagorda and Palacios counties.

A voluntary evacuation is essentially a strong recommendation for residents and visitors to seek shelter elsewhere until it is safe to return.