Hurricane Beryl threatens the southern coasts of the USA

The forecast from the center predicted that Beryl would bring damaging hurricane-force winds early Monday, affecting areas from Baffin Bay to San Luis Pass along the Texas coast.

Residents were advised to comply with local evacuation orders.

Authorities expect major flooding and urban flooding in the region, including the central and upper parts of the Texas Gulf Coast and eastern Texas.

They also predict small to isolated major river flooding.

The center warned that rip currents will create hazardous beach conditions until Monday along much of the Gulf Coast.

A rip current is a strong, narrow channel of fast-moving water that moves away from the shore, cutting through the lines of breaking waves.

Earlier, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that Hurricane Beryl had affected over 260,000 individuals in the Caribbean. /AA