Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to reach hurricane strength once again as it heads towards Texas, after causing devastation across the Caribbean, killing at least 11 people. The storm had initially hit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula before regaining strength over the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists attribute the storm’s intensity to human-caused climate change and unusually warm ocean temperatures.
Beryl is forecasted to make landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, with potential for further strengthening if it remains over water longer than expected. The National Hurricane Center has warned of storm surges, flash flooding, and life-threatening rip currents in northeastern Mexico and along the coast of Texas.
The storm caused property damage and power outages in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of tourists from coastal hotels and flight cancellations at Cancun airport. The Caribbean islands of Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica also suffered fatalities and significant damage from the storm.
With North Atlantic waters remaining warmer than usual, major storms like Beryl are more likely to occur. The impact of Beryl highlights the need for continued monitoring and preparedness for extreme weather events in vulnerable regions.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
