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Beryl weakens into a tropical storm hours after Mexico landfall, could head toward Texas next

Forecasters say the center of the storm could be approaching Texas by late on Sunday night.
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Posted at 7:35 AM, Jul 05, 2024

Beryl weakened into a tropical storm early Friday afternoon after making landfall in Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 11 p.m. ET, Tropical Storm Beryl had top sustained winds of 60 mph. It could continue to weaken while over land.

As Beryl moves to the northwest, it will reemerge in the Gulf of Mexico, where it could regather strength. The National Hurricane Center's forecast has Beryl turning back into a hurricane on Sunday and potentially striking Texas on Monday.

A hurricane watch was active for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to San Luis Pass, as well as for the northeastern coast from mainland Mexico from Barra el Mezquital to the mouth of the Rio Grande River.

A Storm Surge Watch was in effect for the Texas coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to High Island.

On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 40 counties in the state in anticipation of the storm's arrival, which is forecast for late on Sunday.

This will "ensure at-risk communities have access to the resources and assistance needed to respond to this storm," Gov. Abbott said. "I remain in daily contact with Acting Governor Patrick, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other state officials to ensure Texas swiftly deploys all resources needed to help Texans."

"There is an increasing risk of hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flooding from heavy rainfall in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coast late Sunday and Monday. Interests in these areas should closely monitor updates to the forecast," the National Hurricane Center said.

Beryl came ashore as a Category 2 hurricane on the Yucatan Peninsula early Friday morning with top sustained winds of 110 mph. The National Hurricane Center said the storm made landfall just northeast of Tulum, Mexico.

Beryl was at one point the most powerful hurricane ever in the Atlantic basin during the month of July.

Related story: NOAA expects 'extraordinary' 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

Beryl already left a path of destruction as it marched through the Caribbean Sea after once packing top sustained winds of 165 mph.

The storm has left at least 11 people dead. At least 1,400 people were still in shelters in Jamaica on Thursday, after Beryl's eyewall grazed the island's southern coast on Wednesday.