UPDATE: Millions Lose Power as Tropical Storm Beryl Ravages Texas

We’ve been keeping tabs on the first major storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Beryl, since it became a disturbance.

Storm view from aboard Disney Cruise Line

This year’s season is predicted to be even more active than prior years, and after wreaking havoc in the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm before heading toward Texas, we have a new update on Beryl.

According to CNN, Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane, making it the first storm in this year’s Atlantic season to make landfall in the United States. Shortly after making landfall, Beryl was downgraded to a tropical storm and continues to move inland causing storm surge, wind damage, and power outages.

via NOAA

More than 2 million customers are without power across Texas, with services such as public transport suspended in Houston until the worst of the storm passes. A majority of flights have been canceled at George Bush International Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, according to FlightAware.

Not flying today!

In addition, about 5.5 feet of storm surge impacted areas on the northern end of Galveston Bay with around 4 feet of surge elsewhere along the coast. More than 3.5 million people in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas are under a tornado watch until 10PM CDT.

There are also reports of two deaths in Texas from Beryl: a 53-year-old Houston area man whose home was struck by a tree, and a 74-year-old woman whose home was also struck by a tree. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the storm.

©WESH

Experts have warned that this year’s hurricane season will be worse than years past due to excessively warm ocean waters around the globe. Beryl was strengthened rapidly as it moved through the Caribbean thanks to these warm waters.

©NOAA

And, if you happen to be in Disney World during a hurricane and Disney considers it unsafe for guests and Cast Members, you may be asked to shelter in place at your resort. This does not happen often as most of the time, the Disney World area just experiences a bit of rain. But it has happened and is something you want to keep in mind when planning a Disney trip during hurricane season.

If you find yourself in this situation, please follow all guidelines from Disney to ensure your safety during your trip. If it is safe to be in the parks, Disney will keep them open with some attractions and restaurants still available. Read more reader tips for riding out a hurricane at Disney World here.