Beryl’s threat increases as storm moves closer to Houston. Travelers should plan ahead

HOUSTON – As the threat from Hurricane Beryl increases as the storm moves closer to the Houston area, those planning to travel during impact hours are advised to plan ahead.

Dan Riley of the National Weather Service said it’s best to travel before Monday and Tuesday, as those days will be the hardest hit. He said some areas could see up to 10 to 15 inches of rain, depending on where the storm lands.

Here’s how Houston airports and airlines are preparing for Beryl’s arrival in Texas.

The schedule and information may change as the storm moves toward the Gulf of Mexico. Please check back regularly for the latest information.

Houston Airports

The most important thing is that passengers should check their flight status before leaving for the airport.

Sunday and Monday will be busy travel days.

All flight cancellations and changes will be handled by the airlines.

United Airlines

You can reschedule your trip and we will waive change fees and fare differences. However, your new flight must be a United flight departing between July 4, 2024 and July 16, 2024. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked.

“We are closely monitoring Beryl and have extended our travel waiver and added a waiver for South Texas. We encourage customers to visit united.com or use our mobile app to check their flight status and get the latest information.”

Flights to or from the following areas may be affected:

July 7, 2024 – July 9, 2024

• Brownsville, Texas, United States (BRO)

• Corpus Christi, Texas, United States (CRP)

• Harlingen, Texas, United States (HRL)

• McAllen, Texas, United States (MFE)

• Victoria, TX, United States (VCT)

Southwest Airlines

Depending on the weather conditions forecast for the following cities and dates, our scheduled service may be disrupted (flights may be delayed, diverted and/or cancelled):

Friday – Sunday July 5-7

• Belize City, Belize (BZE)

• Cancun, Mexico (CUN)

• Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)

• Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM)

• Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)

Saturday – Tuesday July 6-9

• Corpus Christi, Texas (CRP)

• Harlingen, Texas (HRL)

“Customers holding reservations to, from or via the cities listed above on the corresponding dates who wish to change their travel plans may rebook or travel on standby (within 14 days of their original travel date between the original city pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional fees.

“Customers who purchased their flights through Southwest.com or our mobile app or by calling Southwest Airlines are eligible to reschedule their travel plans online or from their mobile device.

“If you are calling Southwest Airlines from one of our international cities, please visit our Help Center for contact information.

“Additionally, customers who have booked a cancelled flight or those who choose not to travel due to a significant delay may request a refund for the unused portion of their ticket. Customers may also cancel the booking and retain the value of the unused portion of the ticket as a flight credit that can be used to purchase a future flight.

“For specific information about a flight, you can check the flight status.”

Areas to avoid in case of heavy rain

When floodwaters begin to rise in Houston, crews typically begin blocking intersections and underpasses to keep drivers safe.

Authorities said all intersections and underpasses can be dangerous during storms, and locations of severe flooding can vary. It is never safe to drive through a roadway covered in water. Remember the adage: Turn around. Don’t drown.

The Houston Department of Public Works has provided the following list of areas, intersections or underpasses that may pose problems during a flood.

Locations of high water barricades

City officials said the following intersections or underpasses could be barricaded if flooding becomes a problem:

• Greens Road to 45 N. Fwy.

• Greens Road to E. Hardy Road

• Washington Avenue in Hempstead

• Barker Cypress at W. Parkview

• Barker Cypress in Clay

• Barker Cypress in Saums

• Clay Road west of Brittmore Road

• Cross at 45 N. Fwy.

• Kelly Road to Hardy Toll

• West of Boundary St. to North Main St.

• Jensen Dr. south of Bennington St.

• Bennington Street at 59 North Fwy.

• Jensen north of the 610 Fwy.

• Mesa north of US Highway 90.

• Katy to Silver Eagle Road

• Allen Pkwy. to Waugh Dr.

• Memorial to Waugh Dr.

• White Oak in Taylor

• White oak in Sabine

• Studewood to I-10.

• Center St. to Houston Ave.

• Houston Avenue at I-10.

• Main road north to Burnett

• 2900 Allen Pkwy. at Montrose Dr.

• Memorial to Shepherd

• Memorial at Studewood

• Memorial Dr. at Houston Avenue

• Lamar Street in Bagby

• Walker St. west of Bagby

• Travis St. to I-10.

• Louisiana Street north of Franklin Street.

• 1300 Commerce St. at Austin St.

• Texas Street to Prairie Street

• Franklin Street to Saint-Emmanuel Street

• Jensen Dr. north of Lyons Ave.

• 7000 Main Street, Holcombe Boulevard.

• 7000 Fannin Street, Holcombe Boulevard

• Lawndale Street at Braes Bayou

• 9600 Lawndale east of Goodyear Dr.

• Galveston Rd. south of Howard

Locations of underground passages

City officials said underpasses at the following locations could become problematic during heavy rains:

• 100 Milam Street

• 100 Shepherd Drive

• 100 Yale

• 1000 Houston Avenue

• 11600 West Park

• 11700 Richmond

• 11700 West Park

• 1200 Studemont

• 1200 Roadside

• 1500 Main Street North

• 1600, wooden sleepers east

• 1600 Jensen

• 1900 Kelly

• 200 75th

• 200, forest hill

• 2100 Franklin

• 2400 Harrisburg

• 2900 Allen Drive

• 300 Studewood Street

• 3400 Shepherd Street North

• 3500 Kelly

• 3800 Polk

• 400 Houston Avenue

• 4800 Elgin Street

• Memorial 4800

• 4900 Galveston Road

• 5000 Washington

• 5600 Mesa

• 600 Broadway

• 6500 Jensen

• 7000 Clinton

• 7000 Fannin

• 7000 Principal

• 7000 Old Katy Road

• 7200 JW Peavy

• 7200 Senate Avenue

• Memorial 8000

• 8100 Harrisburg

• 8100 Hempstead

• 9600 Lawndale

Flood Signal Locations

City officials have asked to monitor flood warnings in these areas in case of heavy rain:

• 4401 Elgin Street (IH-45 and railroad)

• 1989 Allen Pkwy (Montrose)

• 3087 Allen Pkwy (Waugh)

• Main and Holcombe Boulevard (1000 Blk Holcombe)

• Fannin Boulevard and Holcombe (1100, Holcombe block)

• 6514 Jensen Dr (Creston)

• 1700 Jensen Dr (railroad)

• 3500 Kelley (between Ih-69 Hov and Jensen)

• 5800 Elysian Street (North Loop 610 East)

• 7506 E Hardy Rd (Hardy and Crosstimbers Toll Road)

• 5405 Mesa Dr (Liberty and Railroad)

• 10704 W Little York Rd (between the business park and the Sam Houston West Tollway)

• 774 Houston Ave (Memorial)

• 4450 Memorial Dr (Berger)

• Houston Avenue and Center Street (1100 Block Houston Ave)

• 600 Brooks Street (North Main)

• 7220 Clinton Dr (North Wayside)

• Yale and Center Street (100 Block Yale)

• 9600 Lawndale (Sims Bayou)

• 615 Broadway St (between East Erath and East Elm)

• 8040 Harrisburg Blvd (railroad)

• 306 S 75th St (between Railroad and Rusk)

• 247 Forest Hill Blvd (between Rusk and Capitol)

• 6598 Lawndale (Roadside)

• 3799 Polk (Milby and Railroad)

• 2050 Franklin Street (Commerce)

• 5455 Old Spanish Trl (junction 5 and railway)

• 4953 Galveston Rd (Allendale and Railroad)

• 10200 Old Katy Road (Conrad Sauer)

• 7095 JW Peavy Dr (railroad)