Matagorda, Texas: In the early hours of Monday morning, Hurricane Beryl struck the coastal city of Matagorda, Texas, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With powerful winds and torrential rains, the storm caused widespread damage, resulting in two fatalities. Here are the key details:
City Plunged into Darkness
The relentless hurricane knocked out the power supply to millions of homes, leaving the entire city in darkness. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed that this Category 5 hurricane, which had already wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, is now expected to weaken but not before leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Fatalities and Disruptions
Tragically, two people lost their lives on Monday as the storm’s strong winds and heavy rains battered the region. The hurricane’s impact extended beyond Texas, with over 1,300 flights canceled and critical oil ports closed, disrupting travel and industry across the southeast.
The Impact:
- Two Lives Lost: Tragically, two people lost their lives due to the storm’s strong winds and heavy rainfall.
- Power Outages: The hurricane disrupted power supply to millions of homes and businesses across southeast Texas, plunging the entire city into darkness.
Context:
- Caribbean Devastation: Before hitting Texas, Hurricane Beryl had already wreaked havoc in parts of the Caribbean. The storm, initially classified as a Category 5 hurricane, caused significant damage in Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, resulting in at least 12 fatalities.
- Weakening Trend: Although Beryl is expected to weaken rapidly, its impact remains significant as it continues to push inland.
Current Situation:
- Flight Cancellations: Over 1300 flights were canceled, affecting travel plans and transportation.
- Oil Ports Closed: Important oil ports shut down operations in anticipation of the storm’s arrival.
- Moving Northeast: As of now, the storm is moving northeast at a speed of 12 miles per hour, approximately 70 miles southwest of Houston. Forecasters predict that it will head towards the Lower Mississippi Valley and then the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially affecting eastern Texas.
