In preparation for the battering, Texas on Sunday closed operations and vessel traffic in its largest ports. The decision was taken as Beryl approached the Texas coast near Houston.
An update from the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Beryl, which left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean and killed at least 11 people, is now a category 1 hurricane. It is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane
Condition “Zulu” i.e. — when weather advisories indicate that sustained gale force winds (39–54 mph/34–47 knots) from a tropical or hurricane force storm are predicted to make landfall at the port within 12 hours was declared by the coast guard captains on Sunday.
Following this, the ports of Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Freeport and Texas City said they have closed all vessel movement and cargo operations.
Beryl is expected to make landfall between the port City of Corpus Christi and Galveston Island early on Monday. As a precautionary measure parts of coastal Texas have been evacuated.
The NHC in its update said that topical storm Beryl’s winds were reaching 70 miles (110 kilometers) and it is expected to regain Hurricane status (winds reaching 119 kilometres or 74 miles). Houston Mayor John Whitmire warned the public and said, “We have to take Beryl very, very seriously.”
Comments