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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Matagorda, Texas, on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane, prompting concern and preparations at a nuclear power plant just miles away.
Beryl strengthened into a hurricane last Saturday, becoming June's easternmost major hurricane in the Atlantic. The storm underwent rapid intensification and, at one point, was categorized as a Category 5 hurricane. It has killed at least 11 people in the Caribbean and two people in Texas, according to The Associated Press.
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The system has since weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 70 miles per hour. Despite the weakening, the storm still had the potential for life-threatening impacts, prompting a slew of weather-related warnings for much of southeastern Texas on Monday, including a tropical storm warning, flash flood warning and a storm surge warning, among others.
The South Texas Project Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC), which is "one of the newest and largest nuclear power facilities in the nation" according to its website, has two nuclear units that provide energy to 2 million Texas homes. It is located in Bay City, which is near Matagorda. Storm-related warnings remain in place for Matagorda and Bay City as of Monday afternoon.
According to a satellite image from AccuWeather, STPNOC was directly in the path of the storm. It's unclear what measures were taken at the facility to prepare for the severe weather, given that the company hasn't provided an update to its website or social media pages. Newsweek reached out to STPNOC by email for comment.
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However, Edwin Lyman, the director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists in Washington, D.C., posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the facility likely had to make some preparations.
"A hurricane warning is in effect for Bay City, #Texas, home of the South Texas Project #nuclear plant. The two reactors will probably have to be shut down. #Beryl2024," Lyman posted.
STPNOC touts its ability to withstand major hurricanes and includes information about its preparation for Hurricane Harvey in 2017 on its main webpage.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the Texas coast on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane.
"STP's performance during 2017's Hurricane Harvey helps make the case for nuclear power - thanks to a resilient Storm Crew, a robust design and solid severe weather plan," the webpage said.
As of Monday afternoon, more than 2.7 million Texans were without power.
Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and the second named storm. Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall in Mexico on the morning of June 20. Shortly after Beryl formed, the third named storm of the season—Tropical Storm Chris—formed quickly on June 30. Chris made landfall in Mexico that night, with wind speeds around 40 mph.
Multiple agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have issued forecasts warning that 2024 will be an exceptionally strong year for hurricanes.
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