Hurricane Beryl, previously a Category 5 storm, has made landfall in Texas early Monday morning on the Matagorda Peninsula, approximately 85 miles southwest of Houston. With winds reaching 80 mph, Beryl hit the coast as a Category 1 storm, causing concern for authorities and residents in the affected areas.

According to the National Weather Service, Beryl is expected to bring destructive hurricane-force winds, heavy rainfall, and a potentially life-threatening storm surge to the Texas coast. The storm's path will take it further inland over eastern Texas, posing a significant risk to communities along its trajectory.

The impacts of Beryl have already been devastating, with at least 11 reported deaths and widespread destruction as it traveled through the Caribbean as the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic. After engulfing Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and crossing the Gulf of Mexico, Beryl is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it continues its journey overland on Monday.

As of Monday morning, hundreds of thousands of people in Texas are facing power outages. CenterPoint Energy, one of the major energy providers in the region, reported that more than 1.5 million customers were affected in the Houston area alone, according to the company's outage tracker. The lack of electricity adds to the challenges faced by residents as they navigate the aftermath of the storm.

Local authorities and emergency response teams are actively working to assess the damages caused by Beryl and to provide assistance to affected communities. Evacuation orders and safety advisories have been issued, urging residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

As the storm continues to make its way through Texas, residents are advised to stay indoors, away from windows, and to monitor official weather updates for the latest information. The potential for strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge remains a serious threat, and residents should prioritize their safety and follow the guidance of local authorities.

The impact of Hurricane Beryl serves as a reminder of the unrelenting power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of such storms. The focus now is on the recovery efforts and supporting those affected by the storm's fury as they work to rebuild their communities and recover from the destruction left in its wake.