Hurricane Beryl
Dan Patrick
possible flooding
storm watch

Caldwell County among those listed in Patrick's hurricane disaster declaration

  • Predicted storm track as of Saturday afternoon, from the NOAA Hurricane Center
    Predicted storm track as of Saturday afternoon, from the NOAA Hurricane Center
  • Predicted tropical storm rainfall forecasts as of Saturday afternoon, from the NOAA Hurricane Center
    Predicted tropical storm rainfall forecasts as of Saturday afternoon, from the NOAA Hurricane Center
  • Possible wind concerns in Texas, from the National Hurricane Center
    Possible wind concerns in Texas, from the National Hurricane Center
  • Notice of disaster declaration
    Notice of disaster declaration
  • Patrick's updated disaster declaration issued on Saturday, July 6
    Patrick's updated disaster declaration issued on Saturday, July 6

    Hurricane Beryl is likely to impact most of Texas over and early next week, as it strengthens and heads toward South Texas. Here's what we know.

    Entering the Gulf of Mexico, the storm is expected to strengthen as it heads toward northern Mexico and the southern tip of Texas. It remains unclear how far north Beryl will turn, but AccuWeather forecasters say it's possible it will run parallel to the coast before making its third landfall.

    Beryl made its second landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula just northeast of Tulum, Mexico, as a strong Category 2 hurricane, according to a special advisory from the National Hurricane Center Friday morning.

    The storm initially made landfall at 11 a.m. July 1 on Carriacou Island, Grenada, as a Category 4 storm with 150-mph winds.
    At this time, "AccuWeather meteorologists expect Beryl to make another landfall in northeastern Mexico, perhaps close to the Texas border Sunday evening to early Monday."

    The precise timing of Beryl's third landfall is uncertain, as several factors are involved: changes in speed, Beryl stalling in the Gulf of Mexico, and the easing of wind shear.

    Portions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico can expect strong winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall late this weekend. Beryl is likely to bring strong rip currents along the entire Gulf Coast, so those who may be celebrating the holiday weekend at the beach should be mindful of these.

    Beryl is generating large swells in the Gulf of Mexico, which are likely to reach much of the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday. In addition to strong rip currents, the storm is also life-threatening surf.

    In response to the storm's change of course, Texas Lt. Gov and Acting Gov. Dan Patrick named 121 counties have now been added to the declaration as of end of day Saturday, with additional counties "may be added as conditions warrant", according to Patrick. The full declaration, and the list of counties added to it, can be found at this link.

    Caldwell County was among the initial 40 counties named by his office's declaration issued earlier that afternoon. Patrick later issued another release later that same day adding 81 more counties to the list.

    The Lieutenant Governor's Office stated the National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Beryl to intensify as it moves northwest through the Gulf of Mexico, before taking a northerly turn and making landfall along the mid-Texas coast as a hurricane.

    Patrick urges Texans to monitor the storm and prepare for hurricane impacts such as heavy rainfall, flooding, potential tornadoes and damaging winds as the storm moves inland.

    “As Hurricane Beryl approaches the Gulf Coast, today and tomorrow will be the last 2 days for Texans to make preparations for the coming storm," Patrick said in a news release. "Beryl is a determined storm, and incoming winds and potential flooding will pose a serious threat to Texans who are in Beryl’s path at landfall and as it makes its way across the state for the following 24 hours."

    “Based on the current forecast, heavy rain and some localized flooding could occur all the way from the coast through areas near College Station, Tyler and Texarkana as the storm moves through Texas on its current track," Patrick continued. "The track may change over the next 40 hours. Texans need to take heed, watch their local officials and prepare today and tomorrow before the storm makes landfall early Monday morning."

    “As Acting Governor, I’ve been in constant communication with Texas state agencies and local leaders to coordinate preparations and response, and I will continue to do so," Patrick said. "Do not ignore this storm.”