Tropical Storm Beryl continues to weaken. See where it's going next and impacts expected

Just over six hours after making its third landfall, Hurricane Beryl weakened into a tropical storm.

Beryl has weakened even more, with winds dropping to 45 mph, according to the 5 p.m. EDT advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Beryl made landfall along the Texas coast near Matagorda, Texas, around 4:30 a.m. EDT as a Category 1 storm with 80-mph winds. At least two deaths in Texas associated with Beryl have been confirmed. Both occurred in Harris County after trees fell on homes in two separate incidents.

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➤ Live updates: Get the latest on Hurricane Beryl after its Texas landfall

The National Weather Service said flash flooding and tornadoes continue to be possible as Beryl moves farther inland.

The NHC advised people in the area to use caution because of downed powerlines. If using a generator due to power outages, follow all safety precautions, including not using them inside and far away from the garage or open window.

An additional 4 to 8 inches of rainfall with localized amounts of 12 inches is expected across portions of eastern Texas through tonight. Considerable flash and urban flooding as well as minor to isolated major river flooding is expected.

As expected, Beryl strengthened as it approached the coast. By the time it made landfall near Matagorda, winds had increased to 80 mph. Winds dropped to 70 mph by 11 a.m. as the storm moves north.

Multiple tornado warnings have been issued for portions of Texas since early this morning.

It was the Beryl's third landfall in eight days.

See latest weather watches, warnings issued for Texas, US

Where is Matagorda, Texas?

Matagorda, Texas is located along east coast of Texas, about 80 miles southwest of Houston or 150 miles southeast of Austin.

Beryl becomes first July hurricane to hit Texas since 2020

Beryl was the first storm to cross the entire Caribbean as a named storm and continue to make landfall on the western Gulf of Mexico coast since Dean in 2007. It'll also be the first storm to make landfall in Texas since Allen in 1980, according to Dr. Rick Knabb, hurricane expert at The Weather Channel.

Three hurricanes have made landfall in Texas in July since 2000: Claudette in 2003, Dolly in 2008 and Hanna in 2020, according to Philip Klotzbach, meteorologist at Colorado State University specializing in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts.

Its the 10th time a hurricane has hit Texas in July since records began in 1851, Klotzbach said.

Track Tropical Storm Beryl: See radar images as Beryl moves farther inland

Beryl makes its third landfall in 8 days

• On Monday, July 1, Beryl was a powerful Category 4 hurricane that hit Carriacou Island, Grenada, with 150-mph winds.

• On Friday, July 5, Beryl weakened into a tropical storm, but made landfall near Tulum, Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 2 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. That was Beryl's second landfall in a week. By then, the storm was moving ashore as a Category 2 with 110-mph winds.

• While Beryl weakened into a tropical storm as it passed over the Yucatan Peninsula, it strengthened before making landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane with 80-mph winds.

How is Beryl expected to impact Florida, Gulf Coast, US?

Rip currents will cause life-threatening beach conditions through Monday across much of the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

"Beryl's impacts will not end in Texas, but rather expand across the central states and into a portion of the Great Lakes later in the week," AccuWeather forecasters said. "Flooding rains and even a few twisters will be the primary concerns as what is left of the storm works its way through the nation's heartland."

The center of Beryl will move over eastern Texas today, then move through the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHC said.

Webcams show power of Tropical Storm Beryl along Texas coast

Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 2 p.m. Monday, July 8:

Spaghetti models: Where will Tropical Storm Beryl go next?

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

Tropical Storm Beryl: What you need to know

Watches and warnings issued for Tropical Storm Beryl

The Tropical Storm Warning has been discontinued from Port O'Connor to San Luis Pass to Port Bolivar.

Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning is in effect for the following:

• The Texas coast from north of Port Bolivar to Sabine Pass

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Storm surge warning: A storm surge warning is in effect for the following:

• North of San Luis Pass to Sabine Pass, including Galveston Bay

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

Tropical Storm Beryl: Here's latest information on strength, forecast path

At 5 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Beryl was located 80 miles south-southeast of Tyler, Texas, or near latitude 31.3 North, longitude 95.1 West.

Beryl is moving toward the north-northeast near 16 mph. A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected tonight and Tuesday.

On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will move over eastern Texas today, then move through the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph, with higher gusts. Further weakening is forecast, and Beryl is expected to become a tropical depression overnight and a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles, mostly southeast from the center. A National Ocean Service station near Sabine Pass (TXPT2) recently reported sustained winds of 43 mph and a wind gust of 56 mph.

How strong is Beryl and where is it going?

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Tropical Storm Beryl

• Water levels will remain elevated along Galveston Bay and along the coast of Texas from Port O’Connor to Sabine Pass.

• Considerable flash and urban flooding is expected through tonight across portions of the Upper Texas Coast and across eastern Texas. Minor to isolated major river flooding is also expected.

• Use caution after Beryl passes as deadly hazards remain including downed power lines and flooded areas. Ensure generators are properly ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise caution when using chainsaws and power tools, and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.

• Rip currents will cause life-threatening beach conditions through Tuesday across portions of the northern and western Gulf coasts. Beachgoers should heed warning flags and the advice of lifeguards and local officials before venturing into the water.

What impact could Tropical Storm Beryl have and what areas could be affected?

What is storm surge? Graphics explain the deadly weather event

• STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:

  • San Luis Pass, TX to Sabine Pass, TX: 3-5 ft

  • Galveston Bay: 3-5 ft

  • The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

• TORNADOES: Several tornadoes are possible through tonight across parts of east Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The tornado risk will spread into southeast Missouri, northern Tennessee, Kentucky, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and Ohio on Tuesday.

• RAINFALL: An additional 4 to 8 inches of rainfall with localized amounts of 12 inches is expected across portions of eastern Texas through tonight. Considerable flash and urban flooding as well as minor to isolated major river flooding is expected.

  • Heavy rainfall of 3 to 5 inches, with locally higher amounts, is expected across portions of far southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and southern Missouri through Tuesday. Locally considerable flash and urban flooding is possible.

• SURF: Swells generated by Beryl are expected to affect eastern Mexico and much of the northern and western Gulf Coast of the U.S. during the next day or so. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Check your local weather office.

• WIND: Tropical storm conditions will continue within the tropical storm warning area for the next few hours.

When is the Atlantic hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

When is the peak of hurricane season?

The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.

National Hurricane Center map: What are forecasters watching now?

Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:

Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city

Excessive rainfall forecast

What's next?

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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Beryl landfall Matagorda, Texas. Track storm, radar, webcams