Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula after causing devastation in Jamaica and the Caribbean, leaving 11 dead. The storm weakened to a Category 2 with winds of 110 mph, heading towards Tulum. “Life-threatening” conditions, including hurricane-force winds and a storm surge, are expected in the popular beach town. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico closed in response, with plans to reopen on Monday.
Southern Texas and the Gulf Coast are bracing for the storm’s arrival this weekend, with rip currents and minor flooding expected. A hurricane warning was issued for Cancun to the Port of Costa Maya, with temporary shelters set up and the Cancun airport closed until Sunday.
Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record, caused widespread damage as it passed over the Caribbean. It hit Grand Cayman and Jamaica as a Category 4, leading to power outages, structural damage, and hundreds seeking shelter. The death toll reached 11, with more expected as communication is restored.
Mexico established a “prevention zone” along the Yucatan coast, monitoring rivers and deploying a task force for response. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged people to seek shelter, emphasizing the importance of life over material possessions. The storm’s impacts are expected to continue as it moves towards southern Texas.
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