Tropical Storm Beryl, which made landfall at the popular Mexico tourist destination Tulum on Friday morning, is now on its way to Texas with dangerous winds of 85 mph and a potential storm surge. In preparation for the storm's arrival, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has issued a disaster declaration for 40 counties in Texas.

According to the National Weather Service, Beryl is expected to bring dangerous rip currents to the Gulf Coast over the weekend before potentially hitting southern Texas late on Sunday. As it moves into the Gulf of Mexico, the storm is likely to re-strengthen into a hurricane.

Accuweather predicts that Beryl will hit Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, prompting Governor Greg Abbott to issue a warning to residents to be prepared for the impact. Abbott emphasized the importance of making an emergency plan to ensure their safety during this time, particularly as Texans and visitors celebrate Independence Day in the south coastal areas.

Tragically, Hurricane Beryl has already claimed the lives of at least eleven people, according to the Associated Press. Two individuals were killed in St. George's, Grenada, and Hanover, Jamaica, when hurricane-force winds caused trees to fall onto their homes. The storm had previously devastated Jamaica, causing power outages for 400,000 people and extensive damage to buildings. Similarly, Grenada experienced severe destruction, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell describing it as "unimaginable." As a result, 98 percent of buildings were damaged or destroyed on the island.

Texans are urged to stay informed about the progress of Tropical Storm Beryl and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones.