Beryl named ‘deadliest storm’ as 121 Texas counties brace for hurricane impact: LIVE

Texas Lt. Gov. Don Patrick – who is in charge while Gov. Greg Abbott is out of the country – has issued a disaster declaration for 121 counties ahead of landfall as Category 1 Hurricane Beryl is expected Monday morning.

The declaration allows state resources to be used in preparedness and recovery efforts.

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

Hurricane season, known for catastrophic flooding and high-speed winds along the U.S. coast, the Caribbean and Central America, is upon us, and emergency management officials are urging people to be prepared.

Unlike previous hurricane seasons, this summer is bringing much warmer temperatures and an early onset of storms across the country. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, but September and October typically see the most hurricanes, said Jaime Hernandez, director of emergency management in Hollywood, Florida’s Atlantic coast.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management warned residents in areas vulnerable to Tropical Storm Beryl, which is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, not to drive through floodwaters during the storm as doing so could be dangerous.

“There will be inland flooding, and this freshwater inland flooding is killing more of our citizens than actual storm surge,” Chief W Nim Kidd said during a press conference. “So please, please don’t drive into the water. Turn around. Don’t drown.”

Some residents in the southeast part of the state could experience power outages when Tropical Storm Beryl makes landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, the Texas Division of Emergency Management warned Sunday.

“There will be power cuts. Let it be known. These tropical and hurricane-force winds will cause power outages in parts of Texas,” DEM President W Nim Kidd said during a press conference.

He told residents to charge all their devices before the storm and make sure their vehicles are fueled before landfall.

Kidd also advised residents who rely on electrical medical equipment to be moved to safer areas.

Texas Lt. Gov. Don Patrick advised tourists visiting the state’s southeast coast to return home as soon as possible before Tropical Storm Beryl makes landfall as a Category 1 hurricane Monday morning.

“We have thousands upon thousands of people who spend their summer vacation there — the holiday weekend on top of that,” he said during a press conference. “There’s a concern that they may not be aware of this storm because they’re not watching the daily news, or checking their Internet, or checking their emails.”

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said at a press conference Sunday that Tropical Storm Beryl — expected to make landfall in southeast Texas as a Category 1 hurricane — could be a “deadly storm” for anyone caught in its path.

“The good news is that it appears to be moving quickly through the state,” Patrick said during the press conference. “It will be a heavy rain event, but the storm will move quickly.”

He also said 121 counties are now covered by disaster declarations, allowing Austin to use state funds to help prepare for and respond to the storm.

Galveston announced Sunday that it will close all of its public facilities in preparation for the arrival of Tropical Storm Beryl, which is expected to make landfall in southeast Texas as a Category 1 hurricane Monday morning.

“Out of an abundance of caution, city facilities will be closed on Monday and only essential personnel will return to work,” the city said in a Facebook post. “Recreation centers, public buildings, the municipal court and city hall will all be closed on Monday.”

The closures will not affect police, fire and emergency services, the city said. Public works crews addressing storm-related infrastructure will also remain active.

Public buildings should reopen Tuesday, the city said.

As Tropical Storm Beryl nears Texas, it could make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday.

The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, according to the NHC.

Some of the storm’s outer rainband is beginning to reach the southeast coast of Texas, bringing brief showers and thunderstorms to the region.

Beryl is expected to reach hurricane strength later today.

“We expect Beryl to intensify into landfall beginning Monday, and people should prepare for the possibility of landfall as a Category 2 hurricane,” the NHC said in its 11am statement.