US: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall near Matagorda, Texas, early July 8 /update 16

Hurricane Beryl is moving over coastal areas of Texas having made landfall early July 8. As of 04:00 CDT, the system's center of circulation was located over Matagorda, approximately 135 km (85 miles) south-southwest of Houston.

Forecast models indicate that the system will weaken into a tropical storm as it moves north-northeastward inland over eastern Texas July 8. Beryl will weaken further into a tropical storm as it tracks northeastward into southwestern Arkansas through early July 9 before transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone. The remnant low is expected to track northeastward across Arkansas, southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, south-central Indiana, and into western Ohio July 9-10. The storm's track and intensity forecast remains somewhat uncertain, and the system may change accordingly over the coming days.

As of early July 8, authorities had issued the following watches and warnings:

• Hurricane Warning: The Texas coast from Mesquite Bay northward to Port Bolivar.

• Tropical Storm Warning: The Texas coast north of Port Bolivar to Sabine Pass.

• Storm Surge Warning: Mesquite Bay to Sabine Pass, including Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), hurricane conditions are currently spreading across the hurricane warning area and tropical storm conditions will spread across the tropical storm warning area early July 8. Beryl will probably produce rainfall totals of 12.5-25 cm (5-10 inches), with localized amounts of 38 cm (15 inches), across portions of the middle and upper Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas through late July 8. Considerable flash and urban flooding, as well as minor to isolated major river flooding, is likely. Rainfall totals of 7.5-12.5 cm (3-5 inches) with localized heavier amounts are expected across parts of far southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and southern Missouri July 8-9. A few tornadoes may materialize along the middle and upper Texas coast early July 8 and across eastern Texas into Louisiana and Arkansas through July 8; tornado warnings and watches have been issued in coastal areas of Texas early July 8.

Storm surge could raise water levels on the Texas coast by 1.2-2.1 meters (4-7 feet) in areas of onshore winds from Port O'Connor to San Luis Pass as well as Matagorda Bay, by 1.2-1.8 meters (4-6 feet) from San Luis Pass to High Island as well as Galveston Bay, and by 0.9-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) from Mesquite Bay to Port O'Connor as well as from High Island to Sabine Pass. Swells generated by Beryl are expected to affect eastern Mexico and much of the US Gulf Coast over the coming days. These swells will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Authorities will likely issue warnings and advisories throughout the system's progression in the coming days. Weather warnings could remain active even after the system's immediate threat has diminished, as some areas may still be susceptible to rain-induced hazards. Localized evacuations are possible if weather conditions prove particularly hazardous.

Authorities in Texas have placed 121 counties under the state's Hurricane Beryl Disaster Declaration ahead of the storm's arrival. Officials in Corpus Christi have declared a local state of disaster. Refugio County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents, affecting more than 6,600 people; the county plans to shut down its water supply in connection with the storm, and hospitals will redirect patients elsewhere. Refugio County also plans to provide buses to transport individuals who would otherwise be unable to evacuate to emergency shelters located outside of the county. Several other counties along Texas' coast have also issued mandatory or voluntary evacuation instructions, including Aransas, Brazoria, Matagorda, and Nueces counties, particularly for those in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Notably, Nueces County has ordered the mandatory evacuation of visitors in the Port Aransas area, while the Village of Surfside Beach in Brazoria County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all recreational vehicles and watercraft. The City of Galveston has announced that all city facilities will be closed on July 8, and only essential personnel will report to work. School systems across affected parts of Texas, including Houston, will be closed July 8 during the passing of the storm.

Port authorities have restricted all vessel movement and cargo operations from the Colorado Locks to the US-Mexico border. Ports along the Texas coast are closed, including the ports of Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Houston. Hundreds of flights have been canceled and delayed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston and other airports in the region; further flight disruptions will likely affect airports across the region during the passing of the storm. Widespread electricity disruptions are also likely as Beryl passes through Texas; as of early July 8, more than 89,000 people across the state were without power. Additionally, some multinational oil and gas companies have shut down production in parts of the Gulf of Mexico as a precaution.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. If weather conditions prove hazardous, additional evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible. The inclement weather could trigger further business, transport, and utility disruptions and render some bridges or roadways impassable.

Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding often increase the incidence of insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters poses a serious health threat.