TEXAS — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday the state is expanding preparations ahead of Hurricane Beryl’s expected landfall in Texas.

The Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) has increased the State Emergency Operations Center readiness level to Level II (escalated response), which takes effect on Friday at 10 a.m.

Hurricane Beryl, as of Friday morning, was a Category 3 hurricane and is expected to make landfall in South Texas by late Sunday or early Monday. Spectrum News 1 meteorologist Dan Robertson says coastal areas should prepare for strong winds and flooding.

TDEM has prepared the following departments for deployment:

  • Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1): Up to 200 search and rescue personnel, including urban search & rescue teams and boat squads

  • Texas A&M Forest Service: Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) All-Hazard Incident Strike Teams

  • Texas National Guard: Up to 1,000 National Guard Personnel, including High Profile Vehicles and Helicopters

  • Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, Tactical Marine Unit, and Aircraft

  • Texas Department of State Health Services (Emergency Medical Task Force): Medical Incident Support Teams, severe weather packages

  • Texas Department of Transportation: Highway maintenance personnel, and personnel to monitor roadway conditions

“In preparation for potential landfall of Hurricane Beryl, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to increase the readiness level of the State Emergency Operations Center starting tomorrow,” Abbott said. “Texas is prepared to quickly deploy all available emergency response resources to assist at-risk communities. As Texans and visitors around the south coastal areas begin to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, I urge them to make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, and continue to monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones. Texas continues to closely monitor weather conditions to protect the safety and well-being of Texans.”

View hurricane evacuation routes here and learn how to build an emergency evacuation kit in case you are required to leave your area to get to safety.

Keep up with the latest updates about Hurricane Beryl with Spectrum News 1.