Fox News 2024-07-08 04:07:55


Rubio points out problem with potential Harris-Newsom ticket as Biden reels

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., pointed to a problem with a potential Kamala Harris-Gavin Newsom ticket on Sunday as President Biden reels from calls to drop out of the race.

Rubio, who is reportedly among the top contenders being considered as former President Trump’s vice presidential pick, was confronted during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on whether he’d move out of Florida or resign his U.S. Senate seat if he does become the running mate. 

CNN host Dana Bash pointed to how the U.S. Constitution says presidential electors cannot vote for a president and a vice president who are both from the same state. Rubio and Trump are both residents of Florida. 

“That’s presumptuous … I have no idea who he’s going to pick,” Rubio said. “But I think it’s comforting for Americans to know that when Kamala Harris becomes their nominee, she can’t pick [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom because I don’t think we can afford, as a country, to have two Californians with their crazy policies become the law of the land.”

NEWSOM STUMPS FOR BIDEN IN PENNSYLVANIA, DEFLECTS ON IF ‘OPEN CONVENTION’ WOULD TEMPT HIM: ‘LEGIT QUESTION’

Rubio said he will be working with the Trump campaign “in some capacity” over the next three or fourth months until Election Day, and he will be working in the Senate as well.

“Either way, all I care about at this point, and what I care about the most, is we can’t afford another four years like the last four, and I’m willing to help in any way I can. But as far as making an announcement, that’s up to him and their campaign, and I don’t have one for you this morning, that’s for sure,” Rubio said.

HARRIS’ RECORD AS PROSECUTOR COULD COMPLICATE EFFORT TO REPLACE BIDEN AS DEM NOMINEE

Newsom, a top Biden campaign surrogate, has been campaigning on behalf of the president in the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in recent days.

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Newsom has repeatedly deflected questions about whether he’d run for president if Biden bows out of the race and allows for an open convention when Democrat delegates convene in Chicago next month. 

NATO secretary general switches gears when asked about Biden mental fitness

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg appeared to dodge questions about President Biden’s mental fitness to lead NATO on a tumultuous world stage, telling Fox News on Sunday he refuses to become a part of domestic U.S. debate.

“What I can say is that I just had, a couple of weeks ago, a good and productive meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office, and that we, this week, will make important decisions at the NATO summit in Washington on deterrence, defense, on Ukraine, and also to work more closely with our Asia-Pacific partners to address the threats and challenges posed by China,” he told Fox News’ Joey Jones.

He continued: “Of course, all these decisions that will take place this week would not have been possible without U.S. leadership, so I look forward to an important summit in Washington this week.”

NATO TAKES ON AI AS THE NEXT GREAT THEATER OF WAR

His appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend” came as world leaders are slated to meet in Washington, D.C., for the75th NATO anniversary summit.

It also comes just over a week after President Biden’s mental acuity was thrust into media conversations following his performance while debating former President Donald Trump.

Jones, who pressed Stoltenberg on the issue, emphasized U.S. national security concerns and international interests such as those in Ukraine. He then asked Stoltenberg if he had personally witnessed any evidence of cognitive decline from the president.

PUTIN, XI MEET TO BOLSTER ALLIANCE AGAINST WEST AHEAD OF NATO SUMMIT

“If I start to answer questions like that, I will be dragged into a U.S. internal debate, and the reason why NATO is the most successful alliance in history, is that we have stayed out of domestic, personal issues, and I aim to continue to do so,” he replied. “The big thing is that we are making a lot of progress together. For instance, on defense spending, European allies are now spending record high on defense. Twenty-three allies are spending more than 2%, which is a NATO guideline on defense. That is huge progress,” he added. 

Stoltenberg also sounded off on the topic of supporting Ukraine, which is slated to be an integral part of this week’s discussions at the summit. He emphasized that the war’s implications are not restricted to just Ukraine and Russia but also reach to other countries that have been in the spotlight recently, including China, Iran and North Korea, who have all been identified as supporting Russia in the war.

US SAYS NATO MILITARY TRAINERS WILL EVENTUALLY BE SENT TO UKRAINE: REPORT

“If President Putin wins in Ukraine, it will not only embolden President Putin, it will also embolden President Xi and demonstrate how authoritarian leaders in Beijing or Moscow will get their way when they use military force. Therefore, it’s in our security interest to support Ukraine. It’s not charity. It’s in our interest to, to provide support to Ukraine,” he said.

Amid conversations about NATO and Ukraine, speculations that the country could join the alliance linger. Stoltenberg said, however, he doesn’t expect they will be given an invitation.

“We will help to ensure that Ukraine can move closer to membership and by providing training equipment to ensure that the Ukrainian forces move towards meeting NATO standards, but not a decision on membership,” he added.

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ESPN star’s pick for Rookie of the Year draws immense backlash

ESPN pundit Monica McNutt drew some blowback for her explanation of why Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese is her WNBA Rookie of the Year pick over Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark.

McNutt on “Get Up” on Friday said she would choose Reese for the award because of where the Sky are in the WNBA standings.

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“My rookie of the year is going to go based off the standings because I think that is how you have to measure impact,” McNutt said. “And the Sky right now are in the playoffs, so you have to give the nod, in my mind, to Angel Reese.”

McNutt also pointed to Reese’s double-double streak, which was at 11 as she was speaking on the ESPN show. She also pointed to the lack of All-Stars that were on the team when Reese was selected.

When it came to Indiana, McNutt said the Fever already have the building blocks. Aliyah Boston was the No. 1 pick last season and the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, and Kelsey Mitchell was already averaging nearly 20 points per game.

FEVER, CAITLIN CLARK DRAW HISTORIC WNBA CROWD IN LOSS TO ACES: ‘THERE WAS JUST MOBS OF PEOPLE’

But fans who have tuned into the WNBA this season because of Clark and Reese took issue with McNutt’s reasoning and expressed as much on social media.

Since McNutt’s remarks, Clark became the first WNBA rookie to record a triple-double while Reese extended her double-double streak to 12 games.

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As of Sunday, both teams are in the top eight in the WNBA standings and would make the playoffs.

NBA champ has bold message for women as he’s set to serve hard time in prison

NBA champion Glen “Big Baby” Davis is set to serve a 40-month prison sentence after he and other players were convicted in an insurance fraud scheme in May.

Davis recently opened up about what he’s expecting during his prison stay and what he hopes to attain while incarcerated.

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“I feel like I’m going to have good quality time in there,” the former Boston Celtics forward told TMZ Sports over the weekend. “Learn things, meet new people. It’s going to be all right.”

He added that he wasn’t nervous about going to prison and joked about working on his body.

“Shout out to the ladies out there,” he added. “Write me. I’ll be in there getting fine as hell. When I get out, call me ‘Big Baby Jailbait.’”

DEMAR DEROZAN JOINS KINGS IN THREE-TEAM SIGN-AND-TRADE, HARRISON BARNES RE-ROUTED TO SPURS

Davis was a part of an insurance scheme prosecutors said defrauded an insurance plan for NBA players and their families of up to $5 million. More than 20 people were convinced in the case – many of them players who submitted fictitious dental and medical claims to the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

Former New Jersey Nets player Terrence Williams and former Detroit Pistons guard Will Bynum were among the others convicted in the scheme.

Davis was a part of the Celtics’ 2008 NBA championship team and won a national championship with LSU in 2006.

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He also played for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers.

Actor Danny Trejo’s friend says racist attack triggered nasty Fourth of July brawl

Danny Trejo is speaking out following a Fourth of July parade brawl he was involved in on Thursday.

“It’s sad that people can wake up in the morning and go down and ruin something for everybody else,” he told local Fox 11.

“I am a protector. I will protect all my friends, always, and that’s what I was doing,” he added.

Video uploaded to Facebook showed the 80-year-old actor pushing and shoving through a crowd during a parade in Sunland-Tujunga, just outside L.A. 

‘MACHETE’ ACTOR DANNY TREJO IN NASTY JULY 4TH BRAWL AFTER BEING HIT BY WATER BALLOON

Fox 11 also obtained video showing Trejo confronting a group of people after being hit with water bottles and water balloons.

The Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club invited Trejo to ride in the parade in one of its classic low-rider cars, and Trejo told Fox 11 that all was going well “and then BAM, all of a sudden our car got hit by a water balloon.”

Trejo said he got out of the car because “[s]omebody yelled it was acid, I thought they messed up Tony’s car,” also alleging there was a chlorine smell.

“Somebody yelled, ‘It’s acid!’ And I panicked, I got out of the car to look and then a balloon hit me, and then I saw the guy throwing it,” he continued.

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The “Machete” star added, “I hate bullies, and that’s what bullies do. [They were] very really cowards. I did this in the ‘50s and the ’60s, I’m still doing it, I’m 80 years old!”

A representative for Trejo did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

The actor’s friend, Mario Castillo, was in the low-rider behind Trejo’s, and feels they were racially targeted, according to Fox 11.

“We weren’t there to start no trouble. It was, we were just confronting the people that were throwing balloons. It was a grown man, skinhead, tattoos,” Castillo alleged.

Castillo had visible bruising around his eye in the interview.

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In a video obtained by the outlet, both Trejo and Castillo are seen being knocked to the ground. 

“He didn’t seem hurt. I think he was more, I don’t think he was physically hurt, I think he was upset,” witness Arnie Abramiam, who caught the incident on his cellphone camera, told Fox 11 previously. “He was angry, and angry as a mask for pain. But at the same time, I think the blood was boiling.”

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“I apologize to Danny, I know you’re a good man. You’re a humble man,” he added. “And thank you for taking your time and coming down to our 4th of July parade. And I’m sorry, on behalf of our community, we love you, we appreciate you, and we thank you.”

Liberal high court in key battleground state reverses ban on ballot drop boxes

The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s new liberal majority reversed a ruling that banned most ballot drop boxes, opening the door for election officials to reinstate their use in the swing state before November.  

In July 2022, the state Supreme Court, then under a conservative majority, held that absentee ballot drop boxes, which were used widely during the 2020 election, were not authorized under state statute and, therefore, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) guidance encouraging their use was unlawful. 

That case, known as Teigen v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, centered on a state statute that requires an absentee ballot be returned “to the municipal clerk” by one of two ways: by the elector mailing in the envelope or by the elector delivering the ballot in person to the municipal clerk. It upheld that state statute does not allow offsite, unattended drop boxes, and drop boxes could only be placed in local election clerks’ offices and no one other than the voter could return a ballot in person. 

In a 4-3 ruling on Friday, the state’s high court reversed course. 

ARIZONA ELECTION WORKER CHARGED IN SECURITY-RELATED THEFTS SEEN WITH DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS IN RESURFACED PHOTOS

Writing for the majority, Justice Anna Walsh Bradley, one of the court’s four liberal justices, argued that the state statute does not make a distinction between whether ballots can be delivered to inanimate objects, such as drop boxes, whose locations are determined by municipal clerks, or to the municipal clerks themselves.  

“Given this, the question then becomes whether delivery to a drop box constitutes delivery ‘to the municipal clerk’ within the meaning of Wis. Stat. § 6.87(4)(b)1,” the majority wrote. “We conclude that it does. A drop box is set up, maintained, secured, and emptied by the municipal clerk. This is the case even if the drop box is in a location other than the municipal clerk’s office. As analyzed, the statute does not specify a location to which a ballot must be returned and requires only that the ballot be delivered to a location the municipal clerk, within his or her discretion, designates.” 

All three conservative justices dissented Friday, accusing the majority of politically motivated “activism.” 

“Intense partisan politics saturate our nation, exacerbated by a lack of institutional trust,” Justice Rebecca Bradley, who wrote for the minority, said. “The legitimacy of elections continues to be questioned, each side accusing the other of ‘election interference’ and ‘threatening democracy’ or even the very foundation of our constitutional republic. The majority’s decision in this case will only fuel the fires of suspicion.”    

“Whatever can be said of the majority’s decision, it ‘is not the product of neutral, principled judging,’” the dissenters said. “Although the majority attempts to package its disagreements with Teigen as legal, the truth is obvious: The majority disagrees with the decision as a matter of policy and politics, not law.”

“The members of the majority believe using drop boxes is good policy, and one they hope will aid their preferred political party,” the minority continued. “Teigen upheld the historical meaning of Wis. Stat. § 6.87(4)(b)1., which bars the use of offsite, unmanned drop boxes. The majority in this case overrules Teigen not because it is legally erroneous, but because the majority finds it politically inconvenient. The majority’s activism marks another triumph of political power over legal principle in this court.” 

ELECTION OFFICIALS IN ALL 50 STATES URGED TO SEEK INFO FROM BIDEN ADMIN TO PREVENT NONCITIZENS FROM VOTING

In April 2023, Democratic-backed candidate Janet Protaswiecz’s victory flipped the Wisconsin state Supreme Court to liberal control under a 4-3 majority. Seeing an opening, Priorities USA, a progressive voter mobilization group, asked the court in February to revisit the July 2022 decision. The justices announced in March they would review the ban on drop boxes but would not consider any other parts of the case. 

The move drew the ire of the court’s conservatives, who accused the liberals of trying to give Democrats an advantage this fall. Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers in April urged the court to again allow drop boxes. Republicans who control the Wisconsin Legislature also intervened in the case, arguing that the justices should leave the 2022 ruling alone.

Wisconsin again figures to be a crucial swing state after President Biden barely won it in 2020 and Donald Trump narrowly took it in 2016.

Trump and Republicans have alleged that drop boxes facilitated cheating. Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley weighed in on Friday’s ruling, arguing in a statement that the “new liberal majority on the Supreme Court overturned this recent precedent and opened the floodgates for drop boxes across the state just months before the presidential election.” 

“The Court did this after unnecessarily fast-tracking the case to issue this decision before the election,” Whatley said. “Make no mistake: this partisan decision handed down by a partisan Court gives Democrats a green light to dismantle election security safeguards and invite election fraud. The RNC’s unprecedented election integrity operation will continue fighting to ensure drop box safeguards are adopted and implemented.” 

Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell, who administers elections in Wisconsin’s most Democratic county, argued drop boxes make the election process more convenient and easier for rural and disabled voters and help reduce the number of ballots that arrive after Election Day too late to be counted.

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“Secure drop boxes provide a convenient alternative to mailing absentee ballots or returning them in person to an elections clerk,” McDonell said in a statement. “Drop boxes are a common sense tool that Dane County utilized safely and securely for many years prior to the 2022 ban.”

“Having drop boxes in place for the 2024 elections in August and November will encourage civic participation in our democracy,” he added. 

Costco rival members rage over controversial policy as they threaten to take biz elsewhere

Sam’s Club Plus members have about six weeks left to use a coveted perk, and they are letting the wholesale giant know they are not happy about losing it.

Effective August 19, Plus members will only get free shipping on orders from Sam’s Club’s website or app on “qualifying orders of $50 or more,” the company announced via email on June 19. 

For those who do not add $50 worth of qualifying items to their digital cart, there is an $8 flat rate fee; however, Sam’s Club says, “Some category exclusions apply whereby variable shipping will be charged.”  

“Hey @SamsClub, how are spinning these new changes and now for plus members, we have to order $50 or more for free shipping??” @Victorino1 posted to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “You are taking away benefits. ENOUGH, respond back to your plus members. This is some BS!!! Don’t ghost us!”

WALMART-OWNED SAM’S CLUB IS WAY BEHIND COSTCO IN SALES; HERE’S HOW THEY’RE LOOKING TO CLOSE THE GAP

Within minutes, Sam’s Club responded to say, “By adding a cart minimum, we are increasing access to different ways of shopping for our members. This will make it easier for you to get the products you want, the way and at the time you want.”

One X user, @mbarthur1, even went as far as to say, “class action here we come,” referencing a lawsuit. 

At least one is threatening to take his business to Sam’s Club’s warehouse rival.

COSTCO FLUSHABLE WIPES SETTLEMENT HAS WHOLESALE GIANT AGREE TO $2M PAYOUT

@SamsClub idiotic move getting rid for free shipping for plus members,” @80zkid4Ever posted to X. “I will take my business to Costco.”

Sam’s Club responded that they understood his “frustration about this new change,” and asked that he private message them.

In response, another X user said she is disabled and counts on Sam’s shipping to get the products that she needs.

“Many of the items I buy are only sold online so your new free (for $50 or more) from the warehouse makes no sense for me,” @monroe8831 posted to X. “Please help.”

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
WMT WALMART INC. 70.04 +1.80 +2.64%

Plus members will also be able to get free same-day delivery on qualifying orders when the $50 minimum threshold is met when the changes take place next month.

Other perks for Plus membership include free curbside pickup, early shopping, 2% Sam’s Cash through the rewards currency program, prescription savings, optical savings and Plus Early Access, which allows shopping two hours early during “big year-round savings events.”

Sam’s Club, a Walmart-owned company, is currently offering $50 off a Plus membership, making it $60, but the offer ends Sunday. 

“Our members are at the heart of everything we do,” a statement from a Sam’s Club spokesperson to FOX Business said, adding that the retailer is “continuously working on providing an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our members.”

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“I’m NOT paying $8 for shipping that used to be free (or should I say was “included” in my $100/year membership!!),” Terese Helberg wrote on Facebook. “Will likely cancel and have to rely on Costco for all the items I used to love getting from Sam’s Club!”

At Costco, some items purchased online include shipping and handling. Others are two-business day delivery for orders of $75 or more.

House Dems prep all-out blitz to block GOP bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote

House Democrats launched a united effort to vote against a Republican-backed election bill that would require voters provide proof of citizenship to cast ballots in federal elections. 

Republicans are pushing the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, otherwise known as the SAVE Act, which would amend the National Voter Registration Act, and require states to obtain proof of citizenship from voters for federal elections, as well as purge noncitizens from voter rolls. 

Democratic leadership is urging its House members to vote against the bill in the lead-up to the vote, saying it would place “an extreme burden [on] countless Americans” in order to vote. 

“As we’ve seen a number of times this Congress, House Republicans continue to irresponsibly call into question the credibility of our elections. Despite numerous recounts, challenges in court, and deep-dives by conservative think-tanks, there has been zero evidence of the widespread fraud that this bill purports to target. It is already illegal under current law for noncitizens to register to vote or to vote in federal elections,” the office of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., wrote in a “whip question,” Axios first reported. The whip vote rounds up this coming weeks’ votes and outlines guidance regarding how Democratic House members should vote

‘TRAITORS’: MUSK CALLS FOR ULTIMATE PENALTY FOR THOSE OPPOSED TO REQUIRING VOTERS TO PROVE CITIZENSHIP

“Democrats are urged to VOTE NO on H.R. 8281,” the whip question states. 

Republican House leadership, meanwhile, is urging the bill’s passage, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., posting on X that “the SAVE Act will safeguard our elections by ensuring only American citizens vote in federal elections.”

He detailed in the X thread that, if passed, the law would: require “state election officials to ask about citizenship before providing voter registration forms”; require “an individual to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections”; allow “state officials to accept a wide variety of documents that will make it easy for CITIZENS to register to vote in federal elections”; provide “states with access to federal agency databases so they can remove noncitizens from voter rolls and confirm citizenship for individuals lacking proof of citizenship,” among other directives. 

Under the legislation, voters would be required to provide proof of citizenship via IDs and documentation such as a passport, a government-issued photo ID showing proof the individual was born in the U.S., military IDs, or a valid photo ID as well as documentation showing proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, the legislation states. 

WE NEED TO SAVE OUR ELECTIONS FROM ABUSE AND HERE’S HOW

Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy introduced the legislation in May, with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, introducing the Senate’s companion bill, and received widespread support from Republican lawmakers who said it would secure elections. Johnson notably unveiled the bill earlier this year alongside former President Trump in a high-profile press conference at Mar-a-Lago. 

“Secure elections are a key cornerstone for any representative government; without them, we won’t have a country. Radical progressive Democrats know this and are using open border policies while also attacking election integrity laws to fundamentally remake America. That’s why I am proud to introduce the SAVE Act with Speaker Johnson and my Republican colleagues, along with the invaluable support of citizens and organizations that recognize we must end the practice of non-citizens voting in our elections,” Roy said on May 8. 

MAJORITY OF HOUSE DEMS VOTE TO ALLOW NONCITIZEN VOTING IN DC

Johnson circulated a 22-page report late last month urging House members to pass the legislation, contending there is “irrefutable evidence that noncitizens have been illegally registering to vote and have illegally voted in U.S. elections.”

“While falsely claiming the 2016 election was ‘stolen’ due to ‘foreign election interference,’ Democrats ignore the real threat of foreign election interference posed when noncitizens are allowed to register and vote in U.S. elections,” Johnson wrote in the report. “Lax voter registration laws make it possible for noncitizens to register and vote in federal elections while campaign finance loopholes allow noncitizens to fund U.S. election activities – both of which can affect the outcome of our elections.”

HOUSE LEADERS AIM FOR VOTE ON TRUMP-BACKED ELECTIONS BILL NEXT MONTH

Johnson’s X thread championing the legislation last week received support from fellow Republicans, as well as critics of the Democratic Party. Tech billionaire Elon Musk notably sounded off that lawmakers who vote against the bill are “traitors” to the U.S. 

“Those who oppose this are traitors. All Caps: TRAITORS What is the penalty for traitors again?” Elon Musk posted in response to Johnson’s post. 

The Constitution calls on traitors guilty of treason to be sentenced to death or be imprisoned for no less than five years. They are also to be fined no less than $10,000 and be barred from ever holding office in the U.S.

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The bill comes as the immigration crisis continues mounting under the Biden administration, with at least 1.6 million migrants designated as “gotaways” alone between Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2023, Fox previously reported. Gotaways are individuals who evade Border Patrol agents. 

Beryl targets US, threatens not only coastal areas but also landlocked states

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas—Hurricane Warnings have been issued for Texas’ Gulf Coast as Beryl continues its threatening march toward the Lone Star State. Landfall is forecast for Monday morning as the storm becomes better organized and is expected to intensify back into a hurricane on Sunday.

Impacts are already starting to be felt in Texas on Sunday as Beryl’s outer bands are lashing the state. Forecasters say that tornadoes, flooding rains, damaging winds, and a life-threatening storm surge are possible as the cyclone moves inland.

“We’re keeping a close eye right now for any waterspouts or tornadoes developing with those outer rain bands,” National Weather Service Corpus Christi Meteorologist Eric Forinash said on Sunday afternoon. 

Numerous Hurricane Warnings, Storm Surge Warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the Texas Gulf Coast. A Hurricane Warning means hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are expected within the next 36 hours. Galveston is under a Hurricane Watch as Beryl barrels closer.

In addition to the damaging wind threat, a dangerous storm surge and a foot of rain or more are possible through the early half of the week.

Tropical weather alerts
(FOX Weather)

 

Beryl remains a tropical storm, having lost some of its energy after crossing Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on Friday morning. Conditions will become extremely favorable for Beryl to strengthen back into a hurricane as it approaches the Texas coast. 

“Further intensification is likely as Beryl moves over very warm waters within light shear conditions,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Rapid intensification is a distinct possibility if the core can become isolated from the dry air that has been inhibiting intensification during the last day or so.”

Rapid intensification, when winds strengthen at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less, is possible ahead of landfall. The NHC said Texans should prepare for the possibility of a Category 2 hurricane landfall. 

A dangerous storm surge of up to 6 feet is expected to impact a wide swath of the Texas coast by Sunday night into Monday, while torrential rains that total as much as 10–15 inches threaten flash and urban flooding – some of which could be considerable. Beryl’s powerful hurricane-force winds could lead to power outages and property damage. 

Tracking Beryl
(FOX Weather)

 

The weather is expected to rapidly deteriorate on Monday morning from Brownsville to Houston, and preparations should be completed for a hurricane to make landfall later in the day.

“This is going to be a very challenging system to deal with because it’s so disorganized now, and it’s going to look disorganized as it approaches the coast, and it’s harder to get people motivated to take action,” said FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “But we have a situation where it could intensify significantly (Sunday) as it’s approaching the coast like right offshore.”

Beryl forecast cone
(FOX Weather)

 

KNOW YOUR ZONE: TEXAS HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONES

How much storm surge can be expected along the Texas coast?

A Storm Surge Warning is also in effect from Padre Island to High Island, including Corpus Christi Bay, Matagorda Bay and Galveston Bay.

A Storm Surge Warning means there is a potential for life-threatening water rises within the next 36 hours.

Storm Surge alerts
(FOX Weather)

 

Storm Surge models indicate a water rise of 3–6 feet is possible from Baffin Bay to Sargent, along with Corpus Christi Bay and Matagorda Bay, starting as early as Sunday night and lasting into Monday. 

“The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast near and to the right of the center, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” the NHC warned. “Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle and can vary greatly over short distances.”

How much rain is expected in Texas from Beryl? 

South Texas Rainfall Forecast
(FOX Weather)

 

Much of East Texas should brace for several inches of rain from Beryl. Wide swaths of 5-10 inch accumulations, with localized amounts up to 15 inches, are expected across portions of the Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas from Sunday through the middle of the week.

“This rainfall is likely to produce areas of flash and urban flooding, some of which may be locally considerable in nature,” the NHC warned.

The Houston area is currently forecast to receive 5-8 inches of rain, with heavier amounts in the southern and western suburbs.

Houston Rainfall Forecast
(FOX Weather)

 

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in Corpus Christi, Texas, said any of the outer rain bands could also produce tropical storm-force gusts and even spin up an isolated tornado.

WHAT IS THE IKE DIKE?

Evacuation orders issued for some Texas communities

Cameron County, Texas, was one of the first in the state to issue voluntary evacuations. 

Authorities advised those living in mobile homes and visitors staying in parks to seek more substantial shelter.

Nueces County issued similar orders and advised all visitors to leave by Sunday afternoon.

The counties were two of the 40 included in a disaster declaration signed by acting Texas Gov. Dan Patrick.

The Refugio County Office of Emergency Management issued a mandatory evacuation order, telling everyone to leave by 7:30 a.m. Sunday. 

“Please take precautions to get your family and pets out of the county to a safe location,” the order stated. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is currently out of the country but is monitoring the situation.

Communities in low-lying areas and along the coast have already started to offer sandbags to residents, which will be available as long as supplies last.