More counties, including all of the Brazos Valley, added to the state’s Hurricane Beryl Disaster Declaration

AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) - Texas is bracing for the potential impact of Storm Beryl. On Saturday, Acting Governor Dan Patrick urged Texans to make final preparations and announced that he has added 81 counties to the state’s Hurricane Beryl Disaster Declaration as storm forecasts have shifted the expected landfall north and east of previous projections.

The 81 Texas counties added include Anderson, Angelina, Austin, Bastrop, Bell, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Dallas, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Marion, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Walker, Waller, Washington, Williamson, and Wood counties. Additional counties may be added as conditions warrant.

“Based on the current forecast, heavy rain and some localized flooding could occur all the way from the coast through areas near College Station, Tyler, and Texarkana as the storm moves through Texas on its current track. The track may change over the next 40 hours. Texans need to take heed, watch their local officials, and prepare today and tomorrow before the storm makes landfall early Monday morning,” said Patrick.

“As Acting Governor, I’ve been in constant communication with Texas state agencies and local leaders to coordinate preparations and response, and I will continue to do so. Do not ignore this storm,” Patrick said.

To view Acting Governor Patrick’s disaster declarations, click here.

Saturday morning, the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas A&M Task Force 1 and 2 deployed. The Task Force crews are made up of urban search and rescue teams as well as water squads that can assist with expected flooding.

Acting Governor Dan Patrick and Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd held a media briefing Friday.

Patrick is serving as Acting Governor for the storm while Governor Greg Abbott is leading an economic development mission in East Asia.

”We prepare at the state for the worst-case scenario,” said Patrick.

Patrick says they’ve been working on and preparing for this storm for several days.

“Seldom does wind cause death in a hurricane, it’s flooding. That’s the most dangerous position for someone trying to drive flooded waters on flooded roads,” said Patrick.

At least 11 people are dead after Beryl hit parts of the Caribbean. It passed over southern Mexico Friday. Officials say half of Tulum’s homes lost power during the storm. Jamaica dodged a direct hit, yet leaving miles of cleanup on the southern coast as Beryl is now possibly heading toward Texas.

Residents along the Gulf Coast are making last-minute preparations.

“If we have to evacuate, all I have to do is just put my stuff in this little black trailer here and haul it out of here. We’re... We’re just waiting,” said a Cameron, Texas resident.

“A lot of people are out having fun right now and that’s a good thing and we want them to continue to do that, but we also want them to prepare,” said Chief Kidd.

Governor Abbott also released an update on the response to Beryl.

“As Hurricane Beryl approaches Texas, a severe weather disaster declaration has been issued for 40 counties to ensure at-risk communities have access to the resources and assistance needed to respond to this storm,” said Governor Abbott. “I remain in daily contact with Acting Governor Patrick, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and other state officials to ensure Texas swiftly deploys all resources needed to help Texans as heavy rainfall, flooding conditions, and strong tropical wind are expected to impact multiple regions of the state. I thank our state’s emergency response personnel who are working around the clock to protect their fellow Texans. Holiday travelers and communities in at-risk areas are urged to heed the guidance of state and local officials to keep themselves and their families safe.”

Texans are urged to stay informed, monitor local weather forecasts, follow directions from local officials, make an emergency plan, review hurricane evacuation routes, build a kit containing emergency supplies, and consider reviewing flood risk and insurance coverage. Additionally, visitors to Texas beaches should review beach safety tips and remain aware of the risks of rip currents during an approaching tropical system in the Gulf of Mexico.