Hurricane Beryl Makes Category 2 Landfall in Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico - Hurricane Beryl made landfall near Tulum, Mexico, as a Category 2 storm on the early morning of July 5, 2024. The hurricane, with maximum wind speeds of 100 mph, caused significant disruptions, including power outages and extensive wind damage, impacting tens of thousands of residents and tourists.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasted that Beryl, after losing strength while crossing the Yucatán Peninsula, would reemerge in the Gulf of Mexico and regain hurricane status, potentially targeting northern Mexico near the Texas border by next week.
Authorities in Tulum and surrounding areas evacuated low-lying regions, prepared emergency shelters, and moved vulnerable individuals to safer locations. Tourists and residents braced for the storm, with many taking precautionary measures such as securing water supplies and heeding evacuation orders.
Earlier this week, Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic, caused widespread destruction in the Caribbean. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 95% of homes on two islands were affected, and significant damage occurred in Jamaica and Barbados. The storm claimed at least 11 lives in the region, including casualties in Grenada, St. Vincent, and northern Venezuela.
Mexican authorities have issued red alerts in affected areas and urged the public to prioritize safety. The hurricane's impact also included the diversion of tourists from Isla Mujeres, the cancellation of flights in Cancún, and preparations in nearby oil platforms.
As Hurricane Beryl progresses, it serves as an ongoing concern for residents and authorities along its projected path, with potential impacts stretching to the Texas coast in the coming days.