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Beryl poised for landfall on Southern Atlantic coast

Posted at 12:28 PM, May 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-27 12:28:36-04

By the CNN Wire Staff

(CNN) — Tropical storm conditions were forecast Sunday for areas of the Atlantic coast from northeastern Florida to southern South Carolina as Subtropical Storm Beryl approached, forecasters said.

Beryl was a little stronger on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center, and will dump several inches of rain and bring high winds and coastal flooding to the area, putting a damper on the holiday weekend.

[Click her for today’s weather in Central Va.]

As of late Sunday morning, the center of Beryl was located about 125 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida, and about 135 miles east-southeast of Brunswick, Georgia, forecasters said. Packing maximum sustained winds of near 60 mph, Beryl was moving west at about 10 mph.

A tropical storm warning was in effect from the Volusia-Brevard county line in Florida to Edisto Beach, South Carolina.

“Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast within the warning area … late this morning or this afternoon and continue through tonight,” the hurricane center said.

In addition, a storm surge and high tide will cause coastal flooding of 1 to 3 feet, and dangerous surf conditions including rip currents are expected through the weekend in the warning area.

Beryl is expected to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain along the Southeastern coasts. Tropical storm-force winds of at least 39 mph extend outward up to 90 miles from the storm’s center, the hurricane center said.

The forecast track shows Beryl making landfall in northeastern Florida likely sometime Sunday, then circling around into southeastern Georgia and South Carolina before heading back out to sea Tuesday or Wednesday. Little change in strength is forecast prior to landfall, forecasters said. Beryl is expected to weaken to a tropical depression while over land Monday.

Although the storm will bring much-needed rain to the region, officials warned of heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

“Residents and visitors along the northeast coast should closely monitor this system and use caution on roadways,” said Amy Godsey, Florida Division of Emergency Management state meteorologist, according to CNN affiliate Central Florida News 13.

Some, however, remained determined to enjoy their holiday regardless of the weather.

“We enjoy the storms. We live here,” Teri Hood told Central Florida News 13. “As long as there are cocktails for the weekend, that’s it.”