The National Hurricane Center has downgraded Hurricane Beryl to a tropical storm as it steadily weakens in its north/northeastern path.
NHC also discontinued the Storm Surge Warning and Hurricane Warning from Port O’ Connor to Mesquite Bay.
While Beryl continues to lose steam, residents in Houston, Kingwood, and Spring should be aware that tropical storm conditions are still serious. This includes sustained winds of up to 70 mph, with higher gust speeds up to 85 mph. These conditions are expected to continue over the next few hours.
A Flood Watch is also still in effect, with peak rainfall amounts of an additional three inches. The National Weather Service also, as of 11 am, has a Tornado Watch in effect, with uncertainty in regards to its track, size, and intensity.
Hurricane Beryl made Texas landfall as a Category 1 Hurricane a little before 4 am Monday morning in Matagorda Bay. Its onset resulted in Hurricane Watches and Storm Surge Warnings along the Texas Coast.
The Houston counties that have faced the brunt of the severe storm are Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Chambers, Matagorda, Montgomery, and Liberty. Waves of up to 10 feet were reported in Galveston Sunday.
At its height, Beryl reached the classification of a Category 5 Hurricane as it made its way through the Caribbean, striking the Yucatan Peninsula.
Since landfall, the hurricane has caused widespread power outages totaling over two million Houston residents and counting. Further power outages, rain, and flooding are expected for Houston-area counties.
While the storm is quickly deteriorating, Houston residents should be advised to take shelter and stay off the roads unless necessary. Those driving ahead of flooded streets should turn around.