Tropical Storm Beryl has been upgraded back to a category 1 hurricane as the system approaches landfall in Texas.
According to the 11 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Beryl’s maximum sustained wind speeds have now reached the 75 mph of hurricane strength winds.
“Based on these data, Beryl is upgraded to a hurricane,” the center said. “Additional strengthening is expected before landfall on the Texas coast” but the system is also expected to weaken after landfall.
Beryl is moving north-northwest at approximately 10 miles per hour.
Acting Governor Dan Patrick said in a press conference earlier Sunday night during a briefing on preparations ahead of the storm’s arrival that “Beryl is expected to intensify right up to landfall and could transform into a Category 2 Hurricane.”
Landfall is expected early Monday morning between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. between Corpus Christi and Galveston, he added.
Storm surge warnings are in effect for Mesquite Bay to Sabine Pass, including Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay, and a hurricane warning is in effect for the Texas coast from Mesquite Bay northward to Port Bolivar. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Texas coast south of Mesquite Bay to Port Mansfield, and the Texas coast north of San Luis Pass to Sabine Pass.
Beryl strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane while passing through the Caribbean, where it claimed 11 lives.
