Local counties along the Texas Gulf Coast have issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders as Hurricane Beryl approaches, with several making landfall on Friday in Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to regain strength in the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall along the Texas coast on Monday morning.
As of July 6, Aransas County has ordered a voluntary evacuation for all visitors, special needs residents, and those living in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Brazoria County Judge Matt Sebesta issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-lying areas including Bryan Beach, the Village of Quintana, the Village of Surfside Beach, Follett's Island, and Treasure Island. Calhoun County officials issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-lying and flood-prone areas on July 3. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. issued a voluntary evacuation order for RVs and other high-profile vehicles staying at County Parks (Isla Blanca Park, Andy Bowie Park, and Adolph Thomae Jr. Park in Arroyo City). Jackson County is under a voluntary evacuation of low-lying and coastal flood-prone areas. Kenedy County Judge Charles Burns has issued a voluntary evacuation order. Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid issued a voluntary evacuation order for Loyola Beach, Baffin Bay, and all low-lying areas in the county. Matagorda County issued a voluntary evacuation for the coastal areas of the county including Sargent, Matagorda, and along the coast of Palacios. Nueces County Judge Connie Scott said that visitors to the county are under a mandatory evacuation order and must leave by noon on Sunday (July 7). Citizens and property owners in the county are currently under a voluntary evacuation order. Refugio County Judge Jhiela Poynter issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents. San Patricio County Judge David R. Krebs recommended a voluntary evacuation of low-lying areas, high-profile vehicles, and RVs in the following eastern portions of the county: Aransas Pass, Gregory, Ingleside, Ingleside on the Bay and Portland.
The storm is expected to bring dangerous storm surge and heavy rain possible through early next week. Hurricane Warnings have been issued for Texas Gulf Coast areas from south of Corpus Christi to around Sargent. Parts of the Houston/Galveston metro and communities north of the Texas-Mexico border are under a Tropical Storm Warning, where winds could reach upwards of 73 mph. Beryl lost some energy after crossing Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula but will regain strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Intensification is expected to take place 12-18 hours prior to landfall.
Storm surge warnings from Padre Island to High Island, including Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Galveston Bay have been issued. Potential for life-threatening water rises within the next 36 hours is expected. Wide swaths of 5-10 inch accumulations are expected with localized amounts up to 15 inches in Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas from Sunday through middle of next week. Flash and urban flooding are likely to occur.
Residents in areas close to the south and east of Houston, including Harris County, have been advised to stock up on food amid a tropical storm warning. The worst weather is expected to occur between late Sunday and early Tuesday.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has placed more than 120 Texas counties under a disaster declaration, including Harris County.
