Hurricane Beryl Live Updates: Storm Makes Landfall Near Mexico's Popular Resort of Tulum

Beryl's maximum sustained winds decreased slightly to 100 mph (160 km/h) as the storm moved inland over the Yucatan Peninsula.

The center of the hurricane is expected to cross the northern Yucatan Peninsula today before emerging over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico this evening.

The hurricane is expected to weaken quickly as it moves inland, but will re-intensify once it moves back over the Gulf of Mexico.

The center of Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula, just northeast of the popular Mexican tourist area of ​​Tulum, around 6:05 a.m. EST Friday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are 110 mph (175 mph), meaning Beryl currently remains a strong Category 2 storm.

Popular tourist destinations in Mexico were placed on red alert Thursday night as the Category 2 hurricane moves in after leaving a path of devastation across the Caribbean islands.

With Hurricane Beryl expected to make landfall in the coming hours, major tourist destinations in Mexico have been placed on red alert due to dangerous and potentially life-threatening weather conditions expected to hit the region.

A “red alert” issued by Mexico's civil protection agency indicates a maximum threat of danger from the hurricane, urging people to stay indoors or in storm shelters, Reuters reported.

“Let's take all preventive and precautionary measures because the winds and rains will be felt throughout the state. At this time, no one should leave their homes,” said Quintana Roo Governor Maya Lezama.

Police have blocked access to beaches in Playa del Carmen, while in Quintana Roo, schools have been closed and around 120 storm shelters have been opened by the Defense Ministry.

More than 8,600 Army, Air Force and National Guard troops have been deployed to the Yucatan Peninsula to help and support victims of Hurricane Beryl, CNN reports.

The United Nations will provide $4 million to aid efforts in Jamaica, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines following Hurricane Beryl, the BBC reports.

Earlier this week, the UN said officials in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were working closely with local leaders to assist with recovery efforts.

“To date, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have reported hundreds of people in shelters,” a UN spokesperson said.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to “show solidarity” with all Caribbean countries in the path of Hurricane Beryl, the spokesperson said.

Hurricane Beryl weakened slightly to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph as it approached Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

A hurricane must reach at least 111 mph to be considered a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, making it a major hurricane.

Despite its category, the National Hurricane Center warned residents who will be affected to shelter in place as “life-threatening conditions” move across the Yucatan Peninsula today.

Hurricane-force winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rain are expected, as well as rip currents that could cause life-threatening beach conditions beginning later today and into the weekend across much of the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Beryl has weakened slightly in its wind speeds as it hurtles toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph.

Located just 40 miles east of Tulum, Mexico, Beryl is expected to make landfall in the country in the coming hours. The National Hurricane Center is warning of a storm surge that could raise water levels up to 4 to 6 feet above ground along the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, bringing with it large, destructive waves.

Throughout the day, weather experts are predicting rainfall totals of four to six inches, with localized amounts of 10 inches in the region, with scattered cases of flash flooding.

Large swells are already affecting parts of the coast of Cuba, the Cayman Islands and the Yucatan Peninsula, and are expected to reach eastern Mexico and much of the U.S. Gulf Coast by the end of the day.

These waves are expected to cause life-threatening surges and violent currents.

Hotels, resorts and tour operators in Quintana Roo have activated their emergency plans, securing their facilities and preparing their staff for the dangerous weather conditions Beryl is expected to bring.

Cancun International Airport and other regional airports are also on alert and prepared to deal with flight cancellations and diversions, the ministry said. Tulum Hours reports.

Cancun airport had already cancelled at least 100 flights on Thursday as tourists rushed to try to catch the last flights out of the hurricane zone, Reuters reported.

Hurricane Beryl is expected to make landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula in the coming hours Friday morning, and tourist areas such as Tulum are at risk of being directly affected.

A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, from Puerto Costa Maya to the country's popular tourist destination of Cancun, including Cozumel.

About 3,000 tourists have been evacuated from the island of Isla Mujeres and sent back to the mainland near Cancun, the island's tourism director, Jose Magana, said.

Meanwhile, in Tulum, locals lined up to fill their tanks at the gas station and hotels and resorts removed cluttered furniture in time for the high winds.

Popular tourist destinations in Mexico were placed on red alert Thursday night as the hurricane heads toward Mexico after leaving a path of devastation across the Caribbean islands.

The “red alert” issued by Mexico's civil protection agency indicates a maximum threat of danger from the Category 2 hurricane, urging people to stay indoors or in storm shelters, Reuters reports.

“We must take all preventive and precautionary measures because the winds and rains will be felt throughout the state. At this time, no one should leave their homes,” said Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama.

In Playa del Carmen, police restricted access to breaches with yellow caution tape, while authorities in Quintana Roo closed schools and opened about 120 storm shelters, according to reports.

More than 8,600 Army, Air Force and National Guard troops have also been deployed to the Yucatan Peninsula to assist and support populations as dangerous and potentially deadly weather approaches the region, CNN reports.