In a devastating turn of events, Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Cozumel, Mexico, on Friday morning as a Category 2 hurricane, causing widespread damage and power outages in resort towns. However, it weakened to a tropical storm later in the day, and is expected to continue to weaken until it enters the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for Texas, as they now forecast Beryl to strike the state between Sunday night and Monday. The storm is predicted to regain hurricane status and intensify just before making landfall. The Hurricane Center has emphasized the potential for hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and heavy rainfall in northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coast during that time.

Computer model simulations indicate that Corpus Christi is a particular area of concern, but the predicted track of Beryl could still shift north or south. It is important to note that hurricane impacts can occur far away from the storm's center.

Reports from Mexico reveal that Beryl caused widespread blackouts, particularly in the resort town of Tulum and the territory of Isla Mujeres. Electricity was also knocked out in several neighborhoods on the island of Cozumel. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported, although authorities had to rescue several individuals from flooded homes.

The strong winds toppled trees and caused some damage to electricity poles, while flimsy homes of coastal communities suffered the most. The region's white-sand beaches, however, did not experience significant erosion. The Cancún airport canceled numerous flights, while the Tulum airport is set to reopen on Sunday.

Mexican authorities took ample precautions in response to the storm, deploying about 10,000 army, navy, and national guard forces to help victims and ensure safety.

As Beryl continues to track west-northwest through the Gulf of Mexico, it will encounter warm water temperatures, which could lead to gradual strengthening. Model simulations differ in their predictions of Beryl's restrengthening, with hurricane-specific models tending to project a slower intensification compared to larger-scale models like the American and European models.

The exact location where Beryl will make landfall remains uncertain due to small wobbles in its projected track. A dip in the jet stream over the central United States could influence Beryl's northward or southward motion.

Residents of northern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coast are advised to start preparing for possible hurricane impact, as Beryl is most likely to make landfall as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane. However, the potential for it to intensify into a major, Category 3 hurricane cannot be ruled out.

The Weather Service offices in Brownsville and Corpus Christi, Texas, have issued warnings for heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, a high risk of rip currents, and the possibility of weak tornadoes as Beryl approaches.

The 2024 hurricane season made history with Hurricane Beryl becoming the first hurricane and the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic. It has left behind widespread destruction and claimed lives in Caribbean islands such as Grenada and Venezuela.

As the region continues to brace itself for the impacts of Beryl, local authorities and residents are urged to stay updated on the latest forecasts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.