Beryl made landfall in Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, early Friday morning as a Category 2 hurricane. The hurricane struck northeast of Tulum with wind gusts reaching up to 175 km/h (109 mph). The National Hurricane Center reported that as of 7:00 a.m., Beryl was located about 25 km (15 miles) northwest of Tulum, Mexico, and 1,175 km (730 miles) east-southeast of Brownsville, Texas.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to approximately 160 km/h (99 mph) with stronger gusts, and the storm is moving west-northwest at a speed of 24 km/h (15 mph). States on the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula have set up hundreds of shelters, evacuated small coastal communities, closed schools, and canceled flights, as reported by Univision. About 8,500 soldiers and government agents have been deployed in the area in response to the emergency.
In Yucatan, the effects of Beryl have already begun to be felt, as confirmed by videos posted on social media. The local Mexican press indicated that Civil Protection issued a Red Alert for almost the entire state hours ago. Beryl is expected to continue moving west-northwest, crossing the northern Yucatan Peninsula today and emerging over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico tonight. It will then move northwest, approaching northeastern Mexico and southern Texas by the end of the weekend.
Further weakening is anticipated as the hurricane moves over land today, followed by potential reintensification upon re-entering the Gulf of Mexico. After its devastating passage through the Caribbean, Beryl left at least nine dead in Grenada, Venezuela, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Beryl is an unusual phenomenon, transitioning from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in record time. It is also the first to reach Category 5 status in the Atlantic this early in the year, driven by the high temperatures of ocean waters.
Understanding Hurricane Beryl's Impact
Here are some key questions and answers to help understand the impact and developments related to Hurricane Beryl.
Where did Hurricane Beryl make landfall?
Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, near Tulum.
What were the wind speeds when Beryl made landfall?
The wind gusts reached up to 175 km/h (109 mph) when Beryl made landfall.
What measures have been taken in response to Hurricane Beryl?
Hundreds of shelters have been set up, small coastal communities have been evacuated, schools have been closed, flights have been canceled, and about 8,500 soldiers and government agents have been deployed.
What is the expected path of Hurricane Beryl after landfall?
Beryl is expected to move west-northwest, cross the northern Yucatan Peninsula, emerge over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, and then approach northeastern Mexico and southern Texas by the end of the weekend.