Hurricane Beryl update: Texas officials’ warning about fueling cars

Texas officials have suggested that residents take steps now to prepare for Hurricane Beryl’s impending landfall, such as fueling their cars.

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Beryl strengthened into a hurricane last Saturday, becoming June’s easternmost major hurricane in the Atlantic. The storm underwent rapid intensification and became a Category 4 hurricane as soon as its wind speeds reached 130 miles per hour. It has killed at least 11 people, according to The Associated Press.

The system temporarily weakened to a Category 3 before strengthening again, with maximum winds documented at 150 mph when it made landfall in the Windward Islands on Monday morning.

At one point, Hurricane Beryl was categorized as a Category 5, but it has since weakened to a tropical storm with wind speeds at 70 miles per hour as of Friday afternoon as it was exiting the Yucatan peninsula.

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Several meteorologists have expressed concern that Beryl could strengthen again as it moves through the Gulf. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd held a press briefing on Friday to urge residents to take the right steps to prepare for the storm.

“We really won’t know for several more hours of exactly where landfall may be, but we have high confidence that this system is coming somewhere to Texas,” Kidd said. “With that, we would ask that people take the time to make sure that their vehicles are fueled, make sure that they have food and water and that they’ve taken care of their pets, check on their family members and taking the time now to prepare so that whenever this thing is making landfall you’re already where you’re needed to be.”

Despite the storm’s wind speeds upon landfall, officials are warning that Beryl also could produce heavy rain of up to 12 inches or more, which could cause flooding.

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Newsweek has reached out to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) by email for comment.

Texas officials also warned of rip currents, which could make beach conditions hazardous as early as this weekend.

Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and the second named storm. Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall in Mexico on the morning of June 20. Shortly after Beryl formed, the third named storm of the season—Tropical Storm Chris—formed quickly on Sunday night. Chris made landfall in Mexico that night, with wind speeds around 40 mph. It has since dissolved.

Multiple agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have issued forecasts warning that 2024 will be an exceptionally strong year for hurricanes.

NOAA anticipates from 17 to 25 named storms for an above-average hurricane season. Of the 25, from eight to 13 will be hurricanes, and from four to seven will be major ones. The forecast number of named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes is the highest NOAA has ever issued in a May outlook.

Several factors are contributing to this year’s storm-heavy predictions, including abnormally warm sea surface temperatures and the expectation that El Nino will transition into La Nina this summer or fall.