(WASHINGTON) — During a virtual meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus Monday night, President Joe Biden thanked members and asked for their continued support, according to two people on the call who spoke to ABC News.
“I need you; I’m not going to disappoint you, I promise you,” the president told the members, one of the call participants said.
ABC News can first report that three Black Democratic senators also joined the call.
Two sources tell ABC News that Sens. Laphonza Butler, Cory Booker and Raphael Warnock also joined President Biden’s call with the Congressional Black Caucus. This is notable as the president looks to shore up support among black voters, the bedrock of the Democratic party.
The president told members that he was staying in the race. He thanked them for having “his back” and vowed to continue to have theirs. One person described the call as a “family conversation.”
While the president did take questions, two people on the call said no one expressed concerns about the president’s campaign or spoke out against him.
The call comes amid concerns over Biden staying in the race were raised privately and publicly by other House Democrats, including senior members of the party, following the debate.
So far, no Black Congressional Democrat has called on the president to step aside. And there’s an immense effort underway to make sure the CBC holds the line, according to two members of the CBC.
(WASHINGTON) — In a letter released late Monday night by the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, he confirmed that Dr. Kevin Cannard, the Parkinson’s expert who visited the White House eight times in an eight-month span, “was the neurological specialist that examined President Biden for each of his annual physicals.”
Canard’s visits to the White House don’t represent examinations of the president, according to O’Connor’s letter. Cannard is involved in a range of care for others beyond the president at the White House, O’Connor said in his note.
“Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, [Cannard] has held regular Neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations,” his letter reads. “Many military personnel experience neurological issues related to their service, and Dr. Canard regularly visits the WHMU as part of this General Neurology Practice.”
On the subject of Biden’s physical, O’Connor noted that “President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical.”
O’Connor also stressed that Biden’s last physical found no signs of Parkinson’s, which he detailed in a Feb. 28 letter.
While White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refused to confirm these details earlier Monday, citing privacy concerns, O’Connor said he “obtained permission from the President and Dr. Cannard to confirm the details I am sharing.”
O’Connor offered in his letter a full-throated endorsement of Dr. Cannard and his work as the Neurology Consultant to the White House since 2012.
“Dr. Cannard was chosen for this responsibility not because he is a movement disorder specialist, but because he is a highly trained and highly regarded neurologist here at Walter Red and across the Military Health System, with a very wide expertise which makes him flexible to see a variety of patients and problems,” he wrote.
As ABC News reported earlier on Monday, an expert in Parkinson’s disease visited the White House eight times over an eight-month span between last July and March of this year, including one visit with the president’s personal physician, according to White House visitor logs.
Asked repeatedly at Monday’s press briefing about Cannard, Jean-Pierre refused to say if the neurologist ever treated the president or consulted on his care, citing privacy concerns, but did say Biden was not being treated for Parkinson’s disease.
“You’re refusing to say if he was here to evaluate the president or if he was consulting on the president’s health. So, what then was that meeting about?” ABC News asked.
Jean-Pierre said she would not elaborate on the meeting “because we will not confirm or speak to names that you’re providing to me. It is out of security.”
As part of his annual physical exam, the president was evaluated by a neurologist who found no signs of Parkinson’s, according to a summary O’Connor released in February.
“An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy,” his report states.
Overall, the February report stated Biden, 81, continued to be “fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
United Airlines Boeing 757-224 arrives at Los Angeles International Airport on December 29, 2023 in Los Angeles. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images)
(LOS ANGELES) — A United 757 plane lost one of its main landing gear tires as it took off from Los Angeles International Airport Monday morning, the airline said.
No one was hurt, United said.
The plane continued its flight to Denver and landed without incident, according to the airline.
There were 179 passengers and seven crew members on the plane, according to United.
“The wheel has been recovered in Los Angeles, and we are investigating what caused this event,” the airline said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration also said it will investigate.
The incident recalled a similar accident in March when a tire fell off United Flight 35 as it took off from San Francisco International Airport. The tire debris landed in an employee parking lot at the airport, crushing several cars.
The plane landed safely after being diverted to Los Angeles International Airport.
The tire was one of 12 on the Boeing 777-200’s two main landing gear struts, according to United, and is designed to be able to land safely if it loses a tire.
(NEW YORK) — The high volume of travelers in the United States passing through airport security after their Fourth of July getaways helped set a new single-day screening record for the Transportation Security Administration.
On Sunday, July 7, TSA officers screened 3,013,413 people at checkpoints nationwide, which surpassed the previous record of 2.99 million set on June 23, 2024, the agency announced Monday.
More people flew on an airplane in a single day in the U.S. on Sunday than on any other day in history since TSA was founded in November 2001.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas hailed the agency’s work as “an extraordinary achievement” in a congratulatory message on Monday.
“TSA fully, unerringly, and efficiently checked 35 passengers every second, along with all their luggage and carry-on baggage, while demonstrating unwavering professionalism and respect for travelers during the intensely busy holiday weekend,” he said. “Congratulations to the entire TSA workforce and Administrator David Pekoske.”
As air travel continues to skyrocket at “record-breaking” rates, which Mayorkas said is “expected to continue in the months ahead,” he urged lawmakers to consider the compensation of its agents.
“… It is imperative that Congress ensure pay fairness for TSA permanently,” he said. “It is the smart thing to do for everyone who depends on TSA to keep our skies and our country safe, and it is the right thing to do for these great public servants.”
He added that “for decades, TSA officers received less pay for their service than their government counterparts did,” citing that last year in partnership with Congress, DHS “secured long-overdue pay fairness” which he said has helped cut TSA workforce attrition in half, as well as increased recruitment rates, along with “improved morale and job satisfaction across the agency.”
Tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip are pictured on June 4, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — As the Israel-Hamas war continues, efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization are ongoing, and Israeli forces have launched an assault in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Here is how the news is developing:
Jul 08, 2024, 7:50 PM EDT More flexibility from Hamas in cease-fire and hostage talks: US officials
With CIA Director Bill Burns and White House Middle East adviser Brett McGurk working to advance a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the Middle East, two U.S. officials familiar with the negotiations said they see more flexibility from Hamas than they did previously.
The officials assessed this is coming from Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar; however, they stopped short of saying they felt a breakthrough was in the offing.
The officials also said they believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still committed to achieving a deal.
The American delegation headed by Burns arrived in Cairo earlier Monday to continue Gaza cease-fire talks, Egyptian state TV reported.
Jul 08, 2024, 6:30 PM EDT Latest Gaza evacuation order will affect life-saving care: WHO
A new evacuation order in Gaza will “further impede delivery of very limited life-saving care,” the World Health Organization said Monday.
The Israel Defense Forces issued an evacuation order in Gaza City on Monday, telling people to go to designated safe zones.
Al-Ahli and Patients’ Friendly hospitals are now “out of service,” with some patients referred to hospitals that are experiencing shortages of beds and medical supplies, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Multiple health care centers are also located within the evacuation zone, while three hospitals are close by, he said.
“These key hospitals and medical facilities could quickly become non-functional due to hostilities in their vicinity or obstruction to access,” he said in a statement.
The IDF said Monday it launched a “counterterrorism operation in Gaza City targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure.”
“Civilians were warned and a route was opened for their safe evacuation,” the IDF said.
Jul 08, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT Israel says it’s killed another Hezbollah leader in Lebanon
Israeli forces claimed Monday they have killed another Hezbollah leader in southern Lebanon.
An Israel Defense Forces aircraft “struck and eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist Mustafa Hassan Salman in the area of Qlaileh,” the military said in a statement.
The IDF accused Salman of participating in the “planning and execution of numerous terror attacks” against Israel.
Last week, the IDF said it assassinated Muhammad Ni’Mah Nasser, one of the most senior Hezbollah commanders killed since the group began firing at Israel in solidarity with Gaza on Oct. 8.
Attacks between Israel and Hezbollah forces continued Monday.
Jul 08, 2024, 1:19 PM EDT Hostages and Missing Families Forum asks Netanyahu to delay US trip
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay his trip to the United States at the end of the month and stay in Israel to “prioritize finalizing a hostage release deal.”
Netanyahu is currently scheduled to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress on July 24.
“For 9 months, 120 innocent men, women, children, and elderly have been held captive in Gaza by Hamas,” the Hostages Families Forum said in a statement on Monday. “These hostages endure unimaginable horrors daily. Every moment in captivity is a risk to their lives and well-being.”
Jul 08, 2024, 12:31 PM EDT Israeli forces attacking in Khan Younis, Gaza City and Rafah
Israeli forces have been attacking in Rafah, Khan Younis and Gaza City, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday.
Over the past day in Rafah, Israeli troops “operated to eliminate more than 30 terrorists who posed a threat to IDF troops,” IDF said in a statement.
Jul 07, 2024, 5:07 PM EDT American hurt by Hezbollah rocket fire: US Embassy
A U.S. citizen was injured Sunday by one of multiple rockets fired into Israel from Lebanon by the terrorist group Hezbollah, according to the U.S. embassy in Israel.
Embassy officials said they received information regarding the injured private U.S. citizen. The embassy confirmed the individual does not work for the U.S. government.
The embassy was working to gather more information on the injured person, officials said.
Further details about the incident were not immediately disclosed.
-ABC News’ Jordana Miller
Jul 06, 2024, 6:26 PM EDT IDF gives more details on strike on school
Israel Defense Forces released details about a strike on a school in Nuseirat refugee camp that Gaza officials said killed 16 and wounded at least 50.
The IDF claimed its intelligence found that the site allegedly “served as a hideout and operational infrastructure from which attacks against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip were directed and carried out.”
“Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken in order to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise aerial surveillance and additional intelligence,” the IDF said without disclosing what steps were taken.
-ABC News’ Dorit Long
Jul 06, 2024, 4:19 PM EDT IDF admits it’ll be fighting Hamas insurgency in Gaza for 5 years
Israel is planning for a long insurgency against Hamas, saying it expects Hamas to still exist in five years, but it said the group is no longer capable of perpetrating an Oct. 7-style attack.
“Will you and me be talking five years from now about Hamas as a terror organization in Gaza? The answer is yes,” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari told ABC News.
Hagari is the first Israeli official to publicly admit that the insurgency will be long and difficult, in stark contrast to the bombast of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who continues to vow the quick destruction of Hamas.
Gaza, and even to some degree Hezbollah, are “perpetual wars” distracting Israel from what he called their main enemy, Iran, a senior Israeli official told ABC News.
An expert on Parkinson’s disease visited the White House eight times over an eight-month span between last July and March of this year, including one visit with the president’s personal physician, according to the White House visitor logs.
The doctor, Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist and “movement disorders specialist” who works at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to the logs, prior to July of 2023 he had only visited the White House once in November of 2022.
The White House will not confirm if he was advising on the president’s personal care, saying only in a statement “a wide variety of specialists from the Walter Reed system visit the White House complex to treat thousands of military personnel who work on the grounds.”
As part of his annual physical exam, the president was evaluated by a neurologist who found no signs of Parkinson’s, according to the summary released in February.
“An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy,” the report states.
Overall, the February report stated Biden, 81, continued to be “fit for duty and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
The president has been adamant that his doctors have not recommended any cognitive testing, insisting in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos that he passes a cognitive test every day.
“Every day I have that test,” Biden said. “Everything I do. You know, not only am I campaigning, but I’m running the world. Not — and that’s not hi– sounds like hyperbole, but we are the essential nation of the world.”
Stephanopoulos pressed Biden repeatedly if he would be willing to take a cognitive test and release the results publicly, but Biden declined to commit to such a course of action.
“Watch me between — there’s a lotta time left in this campaign,” the president said.
The New York Times first reported the number of Cannard’s visits.
Stifling, dangerous weather continued to blanket the West on Monday, coming on the heels of a weekend in which at least five U.S. cities, including Las Vegas, shattered all-time hot temperature records.
The forecast calls for more scorching weather in the West and triple digits in the Midwest on Monday and likely through the remainder of the week.
In the Northeast, temperatures are forecast to soar and air quality to worsen. Factoring in the heat index, which includes high humidity, temperatures in places like Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., will feel like 101 to 102 degrees.
More than 100 million people in 25 states coast to coast are on heat alert, according to the National Weather Service.
New York City was experiencing its hottest day of the year Monday as temperatures spiked to 95 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
“In the West, intense widespread dangerous heat will continue through early next week,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. “All-time heat records may be possible in a few locations.”
Some of the worst heat will be in the West, where temperatures on Monday are expected to hover near all-time records.
Record highs are expected in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, while Las Vegas will continue to peak near its all-time high next few days.
On Sunday, Las Vegas experienced its hottest day in recorded history when temperatures climbed to 120 degrees, beating the old record of 117 degrees.
At least three cities in California also broke all-time heat records over the weekend, including Palm Springs, which reached a sizzling 124 degrees. On Monday, Palm Springs is forecast to reach 118 degrees.
The sweltering heat will continue across most of California, where temperatures are expected to reach 114 in Redding, 103 in Sacramento and 110 in Fresno.
Raleigh, North Carolina, also saw its highest temperature in history over the weekend, hitting 106 degrees.
The hottest temperature in the U.S. over the weekend was recorded in Death Valley, California, where thermometers climbed to 129, breaking a daily record but falling a few degrees short of its record of 134 degrees set in 1913, which also stands as the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth. Extreme heat in Death Valley is forecast to continue through the rest of the week and could flirt with breaking the all-time heat record.
At least six motorcyclists visiting Death Valley National Park on Saturday were treated for heat exposure, including one who died, according to the National Parks Service.
By next weekend, the record heat will move into the Rockies, putting Denver and even Rapid City, South Dakota, in a position to see record-high temperatures.
Former President Donald Trump’s long-awaited announcement on who his vice presidential pick will be could likely happen this week, senior adviser Jason Miller said on Monday.
“By this time next Monday, we will know who President Trump has selected as his running mate for the 2024 election,” Miller said during a Monday appearance on Fox & Friends.
“It could happen any time this week. Could happen literally right up until the first day of the convention,” he added, referencing the Republican National Convention, which kicks off next Monday.
He then waded into speculation that the Democratic ticket of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris wouldn’t be the ultimate Democratic ticket for November following calls for Biden to withdraw from the top of the ticket following the president’s debate performance. In an exclusive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Biden brushed off the poor performance as a “bad episode.”
Though Miller wouldn’t delve into specifics about Trump’s list of potential vice presidential picks, he did contend that the former president has discussed potential running mates other than Sens. Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
While campaigning in Philadelphia last month ahead of his debate with Biden, Trump claimed “in [his] mind” he had decided who his running mate would be.
Trump has long said he planned to make his announcement either at or right before next week’s RNC in Milwaukee.
“Right around the convention, maybe a little before,” he said while campaigning late last month.
The campaign has already begun solidifying preparations for Trump’s running mate. A plane for the future Republican vice presidential nominee is already parked in an airport hanger, sources told ABC News; Trump’s pick is already scheduled to be at a fundraiser next week in Milwaukee during the RNC, according to an invitation confirmed by ABC News.
However, campaign officials still maintain they don’t know who Trump’s final selection will be, and some of the people reported to be on his shortlist also claim not to have much information.
Vance said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday that he hasn’t received a call from Trump asking to be his running mate. He said he is focusing on campaigning for Trump at the moment.
“I have not gotten the call, Kristen, and I’ll certainly — you know, maybe not the first person that I let know if that happened, but we’ll let the media know if I ever get that call,” Vance said. “But most importantly, Kristen, we’re just trying to work to elect Donald Trump.”
Rubio also said he has “heard nothing” about joining Trump’s ticket.
“I heard nothing. I know nothing; you probably know more than I do about it. Donald Trump has a decision to make. He’ll make it when he needs to make it. He’ll make a good decision,” said Rubio during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
Trump and his campaign have seemingly enjoyed playing the waiting game on this announcement, offering them an opportunity to garner swirling media attention as well as a host of enthusiastic surrogates trying to break through to the No. 2 spot.
As time dwindles down for Trump’s choice to eventually be made public, he and his campaign say they’ll have to be ready to go.
“Whoever he does pick needs to be able to step in and do the job on Day 1. Each of the different prospects has their own strengths, and I think really can help chart the nation forward,” said Miller on Fox Monday.
(NEW YORK) — There’s still plenty of time to plan more fun in the sun summer getaways, but if you haven’t yet booked travel for shoulder season — or winter holidays — experts are sharing why now may be the sweet spot time of year to scope out savings.
What is shoulder season? How to save on travel during off-peak months
Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club, understands the importance of finding the best offers on airfare and told Good Morning America that travelers can find “significant savings” during shoulder season.
“It refers to the periods between peak and off-peak travel times when destinations are less crowded and travel costs are generally lower,” she said.
The upcoming shoulder season in Europe, for example, during early autumn — September to October — “offers favorable weather without the high prices and large crowds of peak season,” she said.
“Traveling during shoulder season allows you to take advantage of reduced airfare and accommodation rates due to decreased demand, leaving more money in your wallet,” Neugarten explained.
Her company has sent out deal alerts on both domestic and international travel during this time period “such as round-trip flights to Europe for under $400 and within the U.S. for as low as $250.”
Neugarten added that “prices are on average 15% cheaper when looking at U.S. to Europe routes during the off season, but can be up to 25% cheaper on particular routes.”
“Additionally, some regions experience a brief shoulder season in January, following the holiday season,” she said. “As tourists head home, hotels and airlines often reduce prices, encouraging travelers to take advantage of quieter winter getaways.”
Fellow industry expert Daniel Green echoed her sentiments, adding that travel dates set just after the very end of summer typically come with price drops, since hotels and airlines alike “can’t guarantee that the weather will be what you expect,” depending on the destination.
Green, the co-founder and chief technology officer at Faye Travel Insurance, told GMA to think of it “like booking a ski vacation the day the slopes are due to open, even though it may not be snowing yet.”
“Because you’re taking that risk that your ski vacation will be spent entirely in the lodge — or your beach vacation might be spent under the wrong type of umbrella — there’s less demand for flights and accommodation, so you can save,” he said.
Like many in the space, Green also encouraged people to utilize tools like Google Flights, which he said “will often show you the price for an entire month, so you can easily see if the week before you intended to fly is half the price.”
Save on travel by booking now for the opposite season
Scott Keyes, another proponent of tracking flight prices, has regularly emphasized the importance of booking trips for the opposite season if you want to save on airfare. He previously told Good Morning America about the “Goldilocks window,” which is the ideal time to book a flight because “it’s not too early or too late” for the price to be just right.
“If you book 11 months in advance, you don’t see many cheap flights, but also, if you wait until a week or two before, your likelihood of a cheap flight at that point is gonna be very low,” the Going.com founder said.
Tips for booking cheap flights for winter during summer
Neugarten’s first suggestion is to start early: “Begin your search several months in advance to catch early bird deals. We recommend at least three months prior.”
Next, be flexible. “Flexibility with travel dates and destinations increases your chances of finding cheaper flights,” she said. “Keep an open mind for new places you haven’t explored yet.”
Like Green and Keyes, Neugarten said travelers should “sign up for free fare alerts,” whether it’s with her company or by utilizing tools like Google Flights and Hopper “to receive insights on optimal booking times and notifications of price drops.”
“Consider nearby airports — sometimes flying into or out of a nearby airport can be significantly cheaper,” Neugarten said. “Don’t be afraid to drive a little further to a different airport. You might save hundreds on the flight.”
Once you’re ready to book, she suggested going directly through the airline, because carriers “occasionally offer exclusive deals on their websites that are not available through third-party booking sites.”
“Also, make sure to keep an eye on points and miles deals during shoulder season,” she added.
What’s the 21-day rule for airfare bookings?
Keyes also reminded travelers to follow his golden rule of air travel, back-timing when to book based on your departure date in order to align with an airline’s “advanced purchase requirement,” found in the fine print of the fare terms and conditions.
“Pull up a calendar and circle 21 days before your travel date,” he said. “That needs to be your sort of drop-dead date to get your flights booked by.”
(NEW YORK) — Hurricane Beryl strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall along the Gulf Coast of Texas early Monday morning.
The earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in history, the storm killed at least seven people in the Windward Islands before skirting south of Jamaica, shutting down communications, stranding tourists and delivering storm surge and flooding rain to the island.
Here’s how the news is developing.
Jul 08, 9:50 AM 1.7 million without power in Texas
Power has been knocked out to more than 1.7 million customers in Texas as Hurricane Beryl slams the state with powerful winds and torrential rain.
ABC Houston station KTRK briefly lost power in its newsroom Monday morning.
Jul 08, 9:36 AM Beryl’s latest forecast
As Hurricane Beryl races inland, flash flooding will be a threat as far north as Arkansas, where 3 to 6 inches of rain is possible through Monday night.
Moisture from Beryl is forecast to move into the Ohio Valley by Tuesday and Wednesday. Flooding is possible as far north as Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana.
Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning, some of that moisture will combine with a stationary front in the Northeast, bringing the possibility of heavy rain to the Interstate 95 corridor Wednesday night.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Jul 08, 9:30 AM 650 flights canceled in Houston
At least 650 flights have been canceled in Houston on Monday as Hurricane Beryl pounds the region.
So far, 527 flights set to leave George Bush Intercontinental Airport have been canceled while another 123 flights were dropped at William P. Hobby Airport.
United Airlines said it has suspended operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport until at least 4 p.m. local time.
Jul 08, 9:26 AM Man killed by fallen tree in Houston area
A 53-year-old man was killed by a fallen tree while riding out Hurricane Beryl with his family, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The man, his wife and children were in a house in Atascocita in the Houston area when an oak tree fell on the roof, hitting the rafters, the sheriff said. The structure then fell on the man, killing him.
His wife and children were not hurt, the sheriff said Monday morning.
Jul 08, 8:00 AM Power outages fall to 130,000, PowerOutage.us says
About 130,000 customers in Texas were without power just before 7 a.m. on Monday, according to PowerOutage.us.
While the total outages fell, the number of customers in the storm’s path with outages rose. In Matagorda and Brazoria counties there were about 13,450 and 40,000 customers without power respectively, according to the tracking site.
-ABC News’ Amanda M. Morris
Jul 08, 7:23 AM Wind gust of 92 mph recorded in Freeport, Texas
A wind gust of 92 mph was recorded at about 6 a.m. in Freeport, Texas, the National Weather Service said.
Maximum sustained winds at the time were about 80 mph, officials said. Category 1 storms generally have sustained wind speeds of 74 to 95 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Sustained wind speeds at Palacios Municipal, a coastal airport near where the storm made landfall, were at about 61 mph, officials said. Gusts at the airfield had climbed as high as 81 mph.
-ABC New’s Max Golembo
Jul 08, 6:07 AM Almost 200,000 without power in Texas, PowerOutage.us says
More than 199,000 customers were without power across Texas early Monday, about an hour after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, according to PowerOutage.us.
Many of those outages were along the Gulf Coast, where the Category 1 hurricane made landfall, according to the tracking website.
About 21,000 customers were without power in Brazoria County, about 12,000 were without power in Matagorda County and about 5,000 were without power in Galveston County, the site said.
-ABC News’ Amanda M. Morris and Kevin Shalvey
Jul 08, 5:07 AM Beryl makes landfall in Texas
Hurricane Beryl made landfall at about 4 a.m. on Monday near Matagorda, Texas, the National Hurricane Center said.
The hurricane brought with it a “dangerous” storm surge and strong winds, officials said. Flash flooding was expected.
-ABC News’ Max Golembo
Jul 08, 2:40 AM Beryl expected to move inland over Texas, Arkansas
As Beryl heads toward the Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane, the storm is forecast to make landfall in the next few hours before turning northeastward.
The storm’s expected to move farther inland over eastern Texas and Arkansas late Monday and Tuesday.
If Beryl makes landfall as a Category 1 storm, it would be the first landfalling hurricane in the lower 48 states since Hurricane Idalia made landfall on Keaton Beach, Florida, on Aug. 30 2023 as a Category 3 hurricane.
-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen
Jul 08, 2:26 AM Winds increase to 80 mph
Hurricane Beryl’s top sustained winds increased to 80 mph, as the storm moved toward the Texas coast.
The Category 1 hurricane was about 30 miles south-southwest of Matagorda at about 1 a.m. local time. It was about 95 miles from Corpus Christi.
The storm was moving north-northwest at about 10 mph, with a turn toward the north expected this morning.
Beryl’s center is expected during the next several hours to make landfall on the middle Texas coast.
-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen
Jul 08, 1:54 AM Rainbands move onto Texas coast
As Hurricane Beryl continued toward the Texas coast, radar indicated the heaviest rainbands along the eyewall have moved onto land.
The Category 1 hurricane had top sustained winds of about 75 mph just after midnight local time.
-ABC News’ Richard Von Ohlen
Jul 08, 12:39 AM Beryl becomes a hurricane again as it heads toward Texas
Beryl has become a Category 1 hurricane as it heads toward Texas, the National Hurricane Center announced just after midnight ET on Monday.
Hurricane Beryl’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 75 mph. The storm is expected to strengthen before it makes landfall on the Texas coast.
Currently, Beryl is about 65 miles from Matagorda, Texas and 105 miles from Corpus Christi.
Jul 07, 11:08 PM Beryl expected to become hurricane before reaching landfall overnight
Beryl remains a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph as of Sunday evening. However, the storm is expected to become a hurricane again before making landfall.
Currently Beryl is about 75 miles from Matagorda, Texas.
The storm is expected near Matagorda between 3 and 5 a.m. local time.
Jul 07, 8:10 PM Beryl’s winds reach 70 mph as it heads toward Texas coast
As Texans brace for hurricane conditions, officials said Beryl currently has 70 mph winds as it moves toward the coast.
By Sunday evening, the tropical storm was located 105 miles southeast of Matagorda, Texas, moving northwest at a rate of 12 mph.
Jul 07, 8:10 PM Officials urge Texans on the coast to evacuate
In a press conference Sunday, Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick urged people living on the state’s coast to evacuate before the storm hits.
“We don’t see many people leaving,” Patrick said. “You don’t want to be on the road tomorrow.”
Texas Division of Emergency Management officials said over 50 ambulances are on standby to assist with evacuating hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, if needed.
“This storm has already left nine deaths in its path through the Caribbean. We don’t want number 10 to be in Texas,” Patrick said.
Jul 07, 9:01 PM Beryl is closing in on Texas with up to 7 feet of storm surge forecast
The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the Texas coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Officials are forecasting up to 7 feet of storm surge, above normal tide levels for Matagorda Bay and Port O’Connor to San Luis Pass.
The possible storm surge is forecast to reach up to 6 feet in Galveston Bay, officials said.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances, according to the NHC.
Jul 07, 1:40 PM Houston school campuses close as Beryl approaches
The Houston Independent School District announced Sunday that all its campuses will be closed as tropical storm Beryl bears down on the Texas coast and is expected to be a Category 1 hurricane when it makes landfall.
The school district sent out a message Sunday to students, staff and parents that it is canceling summer classes and activities, and closing all campuses and buildings on Monday and Tuesday.
Beryl was a tropical storm on Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico, but is expected to strengthen overnight and make landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.
-ABC News’ Gina Sunseri
Jul 07, 12:37 PM Beryl could be a Category 1 hurricane when it slams Texas: NHC
Beryl remains a tropical storm but was gaining strength over open warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to be a Category 1 hurricane by Sunday night and is expected to make landfall on the Texas coast early Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In an update on Beryl’s path issued at 10 a.m. CT, the hurricane center said winds generated by Beryl had slightly increased to 65 mph.
“Beryl [is] becoming better organized and forecast to become a hurricane before landfall,” the hurricane center said in its latest update.
The storm is expected to make landfall on the middle Texas Coast near Matagorda Bay on Monday.
A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Gulf Coast from Baffin Bay north to San Luis Pass. A Storm Surge Warning was also issued for the coast of Texas from High Island to Sabine Pass.
“Beryl is forecast to become a hurricane again later today. Continued strengthening is expected overnight before Beryl reaches the Texas coast,” according to the hurricane center’s statement.
The hurricane center warned that a few tornadoes could also occur along the middle and upper Texas Coast through Sunday night and across eastern Texas and western Louisiana on Monday.
In addition to storm surges of up to 6 feet, Beryl is expected to dump heavy rain on the Texas coastal cities.
“Heavy rainfall of 5 to 10 inches with localized amounts of 15 inches is expected across portions of the middle and upper Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas beginning today through Monday night,” the hurricane center said.
The White House said Sunday that President Joe Biden is monitoring Beryl as FEMA prepositions response teams.
“The President and his team continue to monitor Tropical Storm Beryl as it makes its way towards South Texas,” a White House official said. “We are in close contact with our state and local counterparts and FEMA has prepositioned response personnel, search and rescue teams, bottled water, meals, tarps and electric generators in case they are needed. On Sunday, FEMA activated its National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) to further support local response efforts.”
-ABC News’ Daniel Amarante
Jul 07, 6:20 AM Beryl to make landfall as hurricane Monday morning in Texas
Beryl remained early Sunday a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph.
The storm has been slow to strengthen over the past several hours, which is potentially good news for the residents of the Texas coast.
Even though strengthening is expected, each hour that this storm delays that intensification will help contribute to a weaker storm upon landfall.
A hurricane warning is in effect from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass.
A storm surge warning is in effect for Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Galveston Bay. During the peak of the storm on Monday morning, surge may reach 4 to 6 feet above normal tide in Mesquite Bay and Matagorda Bay.
There are also numerous other hurricane watches, tropical storm watches and warnings, and storm surge watches across the Texas coast.
Beryl is still forecast to make landfall near Matagorda Bay as a Category 1 Hurricane on Monday morning.
An island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas issued a voluntary evacuation of the island’s west end, Galveston officials said in a press release on Saturday.
While officials feel the chances of tides above five feet are currently very low, tides above that level could prevent travel on major roads and make it difficult for the city to respond to emergencies, the press release said.
Brian Maxwell, Galveston city manager, noted that predictions for the track of Beryl have not changed.
The size of Beryl has expanded slightly, according to the National Weather Service, and as a result, the island’s west end is currently under a storm surge warning.
Mayor Craig Brown “signed the order out of an abundance of caution,” said Maxwell.
If residents choose to stay in a low-lying area, they may not be able to safely leave for several hours, and emergency services may not be available while tides remain elevated, emergency management officials said.
Jul 06, 5:09 PM Beryl now less than 400 miles from Corpus Christi
Beryl, now less than 400 miles from Corpus Christi, remains a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph, moving at 13 mph.
Beryl is moving over water that is slightly warmer than normal, by 1 to 2 degrees.
As Beryl approaches the Texas coast it will move over much warmer waters, 4 and 5 degrees above normal. The warmer water is expected to help boost Beryl back into a hurricane before making landfall northeast of Corpus Christi on Monday morning.
Hurricane Warnings have been issued for parts of Texas, from Baffin Bay northward to Sargent. Tropical Storm Warnings are now issued north of Sargent to High Island.
Landfall may occur with the center of circulation most likely northeast of Corpus Christi — the greatest impacts remaining north of that city as well. There is still time for this track to change over the next 24 hours.
The last hurricane to make landfall in Texas was Nicholas in September 2021, which was a Category 1 and made landfall on the northern side of East Matagorda Bay.
The last hurricane to make landfall just north of Corpus Christi was Harvey in 2017 as a Category 4. Harvey then stalled and dumped historic rainfall over southeast Texas. Beryl is not expected to stall and therefore similar impacts as Harvey are not expected, in terms of rainfall, wind or storm surge.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the entire coast south of San Luis Pass due to the hurricane-strength, over 74 mph sustained wind expected along the Texas coast.
Jul 06, 12:33 PM Hurricane watch in effect for parts of Texas
A Hurricane Watch is in effect in Texas from the Rio Grande Valley to San Luis Pass, just west of Galveston Island, with a Storm Surge Watch from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to High Island, Texas.
Storm surge is forecast to be 3 to 5 feet in Corpus Christi and Matagorda Bay, and 2 to 4 feet in Galveston Bay. These numbers are subject to change depending on the exact track and intensity of the storm as it approaches landfall.
Residents along the Texas coast need to be prepared for a powerful hurricane with life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and significant flooding.
Flooding rain is often the most impactful aspect of tropical systems. In terms of rainfall amounts, much of southeastern Texas is looking at 5 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts up to 15 inches. Most of this rain will fall on Monday and Tuesday.
Jul 06, 12:27 PM Now a tropical storm, Beryl expected to strengthen before hitting Texas
Beryl remains a tropical storm with winds of 60 mph as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico as of Saturday morning, but it is expected to strengthen before hitting Texas on Sunday with potential Category 1 strength.
On Saturday, Beryl may take some time to recover, but is forecast to begin strengthening by the end of the day. The storm is moving into favorable conditions for hurricanes, with warm water and limited wind shear.
The track from the National Hurricane Center takes Beryl towards the Texas coast by late Sunday night into early Monday, likely as a strong Category 1 Hurricane.
Currently, the most likely landfall location is around Matagorda Island, just east of Corpus Christi, but that will likely need to be adjusted as the storm’s track becomes more “fine-tuned” in the next day or so.
