Overview:

Tropical Storm Beryl continues to hammer Texas, bringing rainfall, flooding, storm surge, damaging wind, and tornado threats. Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane at 4 a.m. CDT near Matagorda, Texas, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It has since weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland. Winds gusted over 90 mph on the Texas coast in Freeport and San Bernard, with gusts up to 84 mph in Houston, leading to widespread power outages. Moderate to locally major coastal flooding from storm surges has affected parts of the middle and upper Texas coasts, with rainfall totals in the Houston metro area ranging from 5 to 8 inches over the past 24 hours. Beryl’s center is currently tracking northward through southeast Texas with heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Anticipated Path and Dates:

Beryl will steadily weaken to a tropical depression as its center tracks inland over eastern Texas through early Tuesday. Its remnants will then merge with a front and spread toward the Mississippi and Ohio valleys, Great Lakes, and Northeast through midweek, helping to enhance heavy rainfall in those areas. Storm winds will weaken significantly as Beryl transitions into a tropical depression and eventually merges with the frontal system.

Additional Weather Conditions:

• Heat Wave: An extreme heat wave continues across the western United States, supported by a deep and entrenched upper-level ridge. High temperatures in the upper 90s to low 110s will represent 15-30 degree anomalies, with widespread high and low temperature records likely to be tied or broken. The heat wave is forecasted to shift from California and Oregon north to Washington and east over the Great Basin and Arizona through mid-week. The multi-day length and record warm overnight temperatures will cause significant heat stress for people without adequate cooling and hydration.
• Eastern US: Heat and humidity are building over the Mid-Atlantic as the upper trough that will eventually pick up Beryl directs moisture and warm air northward across the East Coast. Strong southerly flow and clouds will contribute to warm overnight temperatures in the 70s, likely tying or breaking existing records across much of the Appalachians and East Coast through midweek.

Preparations for Businesses and Personal Property:

• Businesses:
  • Emergency Plans: Review and activate emergency plans. Ensure all employees are aware of evacuation routes and safety procedures.
  • Data Backup: Secure important documents and data backups. Consider moving critical business operations to a remote location if possible.
  • Physical Preparations: Secure the physical premises by boarding up windows and doors. Elevate valuable equipment and inventory to prevent water damage.

Be Prepared

• Personal Property:
  • Evacuation: Follow local authorities’ advice on evacuation orders. Have an emergency kit ready, including necessary medications, important documents, and supplies for at least 72 hours.
  • Home Preparations: Secure your home by boarding up windows and reinforcing doors. Remove any outdoor furniture or decorations that could become projectiles in high winds.
  • Insurance: Review your insurance policy to understand what is covered in the event of hurricane damage. Take photographs of your property and belongings for documentation purposes.
• Flood Precautions:
  • Elevate Belongings: Move valuable items and electrical appliances to higher floors to prevent water damage.
  • Sandbags: Use sandbags to divert water away from your property.
  • Drains and Gutters: Ensure that drains and gutters are clear of debris to allow for proper water flow.
• Tornado Precautions:
  • Shelter Plan: Identify a safe location in your home or business to take shelter during a tornado. The safest place is usually a small, windowless room on the lowest level, such as a basement or an interior hallway.
  • Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit ready in your shelter location, including water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, and any necessary medications.
  • Stay Informed: Monitor local weather updates and alerts from the National Weather Service. Be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued.
  • Protective Measures: If you are outside or in a vehicle when a tornado is approaching, seek shelter in a sturdy building if possible. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a nearby ditch or low-lying area and cover your head with your hands.