Hurricane Beryl: Live updates for the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi

The Caller-Times will be providing live updates about Hurricane Beryl as news comes about.

More: Hurricane season 2024: What Coastal Benders need to know

Port of Corpus Christi raises readiness to level 2 | Updated 6:10 p.m.

The Port of Corpus Christi has reached a Level 2 in its hurricane preparation, according to a news release issued by the agency late Friday.

“Under this condition, owners, operators or agents of all self-propelled oceangoing vessels over 500 gross tons, all barges and their support tugs should review USCG plans to depart or remain in port,” officials wrote.

Hurricane, storm surge watches issued | Updated 4:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service Corpus Christi issued storm surge and hurricane watches for the Corpus Christi area Friday just before 4 p.m.

A storm surge watch means life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline is possible sometime within the area within the next 48 hours.

A hurricane watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within the area within the next 48 hours.

More: Hurricane watches, warnings and evacuations: What to do when one is declared

Locations affected by the storm surge and hurricane watches include Corpus Christi, Flour Bluff, Chapman Ranch, Agua Dulce, Banquete, Bishop, Driscoll, Petronilla, Robstown, Mustang Island, Port Aransas, Ingleside, Portland, Kingsville, Loyola Beach and Riviera.

Hurricane watches extend in coastal areas and storm surge watches in inland areas. For a full list of watches and details about specific locations visit the National Weather Service Corpus Christi website at https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=CRP&wwa=storm%20surge%20watch.

The latest local forecast predicts tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane winds Monday, as well as the potential for three to five feet of storm surge in surge-prone areas. Peak rainfall could be 4 to 8 inches, with locally higher amounts. Forecasts vary by location.

According to the watches, residents should plan for life-threatening wind the equivalent of a Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane and prepare for considerable wind damage and flooding.

Forecast shows increased threat | Updated 2:30 p.m.

Although it is currently projected to make landfall in South Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, Coastal Bend residents should be making preparations for Hurricane Beryl to reach a Category 2 strength, according to messages by the local office of the National Weather Service.

A Category 1 storm has wind speeds ranging from 74 mph to 95 mph, while wind speeds of a Category 2 hurricane span 96 mph to 110 mph.

“Conditions could begin to deteriorate Sunday night into Monday,” meteorologists wrote in social media posts Friday. “Now would be the time to prepare.”

Like all forecasts generated within days of an event, there isn’t certainty on some of the details residents typically want to know most – the size and strength of the storm, and where and when it will make approach land.

Hurricane Beryl’s forecast trajectory, however, is continuing to point north toward the Texas coastline, NHC and NWS graphics show as of 2 p.m.

It is currently estimated that the storm will arrive late Sunday or possibly Monday morning, according to a series of graphics and messages on the local NWS X social media site.

Tropical storm force winds – which range in speed between 39 and 74 mph – are anticipated to make it to the Coastal Bend sometime Sunday, according to forecasts.

Beaches are expected to be hazardous , with the threats of coastal flooding and rip currents, officials have said.

There is “potential for widespread heavy rain, especially Sunday night into Monday,” meteorologists wrote Friday, adding that “flash flood and river flood threat continues to increase,” including in the Coastal Bend.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center’s rain map showed the Corpus Christi area of receiving between four and six inches of rain through Wednesday.

Schools, events postponed

Corpus Christi ISD will cancel summer school classes for Monday. Employees do not need to report to work on Monday and all buildings will be closed.

Del Mar College will be closing its campuses on Monday, with Summer 2 classes starting once the college reopens.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will shift to remote work and classes Monday. Texas A&M University-Kingsville will suspend normal operations Monday. Classes, both online and in-person, are canceled for Monday for Kingsville college students.

Luis Purón, executive director for the Rockport Center for the Arts, announced Friday the 56th annual Rockport Art Festival has been shortened to just a one-day event this year due to Hurricane Beryl. The event will start at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Nueces County facilities will be closed Monday, Nueces County Judge Connie Scott announced during a press conference on Friday afternoon. All jury duty assignments for that day will be rescheduled, and assignees will be notified.

County, city provide update to residents

"We are paying attention to this storm," Judge Connie Scott announced from the podium in the Nueces County Commissioners Courtroom during a news conference held at about 3 p.m. on Friday. "We have been working closely and participated in conference calls with TDEM, the National Weather Service and many organizations.

"We continue and will continue to watch and to monitor this storm very closely and will keep you informed as information becomes available," the judge said.

The county is advising citizens who live on the water or in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding or who are visiting in recreational vehicles to consider evacuating the area sooner rather than later. Local citizens are encouraged to begin making preparations to secure their property and follow their normal plans for hurricane preparedness.

Residents are encouraged to follow NWS Corpus Christi, visit nuecesco.com or the Nueces County Facebook page for further alerts. They can sign up for the city's Reverse Alert by texting BEREADYCCNC to 888777 to sign up by text and receive the latest notices about the storm.

In additional preparation efforts, units are staging at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown, with AEP providing out-of-state bucket trucks and AT&T units. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will also offer search and rescue boats, and 24 ambulances will be parked to help evacuate, if necessary, with generators provided by HEB on hand, she said.

Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo, Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief Brandon Wade, Corpus Christi Police Department Chief Mike Markle and other city leaders held a press conference at City Hall Friday afternoon to discuss precautions residents should take.

"Beryl is expected to make landfall as a potential Category 1 hurricane; however, South Texas is being encouraged for a Category 2 hurricane," Guajardo said. "We want to ask anyone who is visiting our city to consider returning at an earlier time."

Guajardo said the Gov. Greg Abbott reached out to her Friday morning to "ensure the state of Texas' support for Corpus Christi is there."

Wade said the city has been tracking Beryl since last Friday. He said Corpus Christi is coordinating with state agencies to be sure they are taking the necessary precautions.

"Our Emergency Operation Center will be activated for this event," Wade said. "We're taking this very seriously and asking the community to take it serious as well."

Wondering if you should board up your windows? Wade said if you want to, board them up.

"It would be best to do so, but play it by ear," Wade said. "It's not wrong to be precautious."

Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority prepared

In the case of an evacuation, the CCRTA is ready.

In a release, Chief Executive Officer Derrick Majchszak said he will lead his staff and proceed with evacuating the community.

“Once an evacuation order is declared, all transportation becomes fare-free to transfer stations, where evacuees are then transported to the Corpus Christi Gym and Natatorium or the Richard Borchard Fairground," Majchszak said. "From those central points, evacuees are then transported to a safe location."

Individuals utilizing the city buses during an evacuation may bring luggage, essential items and/or pets with them for travel. It is preferred that pets are in carriers, as they must be controlled and not a safety risk to fellow passengers.

Coastal Bend beaches

Padre Island National Seashore began implementing a phased hurricane shutdown process Friday, immediately closing vehicle access to North Beach, South Beach and Yarborough Pass.

Malaquite Campground, Bird Island Basin Campground and the Malaquite Visitor Center will close starting noon Saturday. A full park closure will take place staring at 12 a.m. Sunday.

Mustang Island State Park plans to remove beach amenities Saturday, including beach access mats, picnic tables and Port-O-Can facilities Saturday.

Kleberg County, Kingsville community prepares

Kleberg County Judge Rudy Madrid called for a voluntary evacuation of low lying areas including Loyola Beach and Baffin Bay on Thursday.

According to a city of Kingsville news release Thursday, both Kleberg County and Kingsville distributed sandbags Friday.

The FEMA domes at H.M. King High School in Kingsville will be open Saturday for anyone who needs a safe space to go for the storm. For transportation assistance, call 361-455-8686.

The JK Northway Exposition Center RV grounds in Kleberg County will also be open for free for RV residents. The stables behind JK Northway RV grounds are available to shelter livestock, according to the news release.

More: Here's where you can see full coverage of hurricanes and other storms in the Coastal Bend.

More: Hurricane Beryl tracker: Maps show storm's projected path as it heads toward South Texas

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Hurricane Beryl: Live updates for Texas Coastal Bend, Corpus Christi