Tropical Storm Beryl hits US southeast coast

Tropical Storm Beryl made landfall early on Monday in north-east Florida, bringing near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 miles an hour.

The Guardian, citing the US national hurricane center, wrote that Beryl was expected to continue dumping rain over Florida and Georgia on Monday, before weakening as it moved inland and then heads out into the Atlantic Ocean..

Meantime, thunderstorms pounded the coastline in northern Florida and Georgia, disrupting Memorial Day weekend plans for travelers and beachgoers, Reuters reported.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the entire Georgia coastline, as well as parts of Florida and South Carolina.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott urged residents in the affected areas to "stay alert and aware."

"Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to bring heavy rain and winds, and it is vital to continue to monitor local news reports and listen to the advice of local emergency management officials," Scott said in a statement issued Sunday evening.

A jazz festival and Memorial Day ceremony were canceled Sunday in Jacksonville, the Associated Press reported, and work crews were clearing debris in anticipation of high winds.

High winds knocked down tree limbs and power lines in parts of coastal Georgia, leaving hundreds without electricity.

While the expected strong swells proved a boon for surf shops on some Florida beaches, Tybee Island near Savannah closed its beaches for swimming Sunday, with the local fire Chief C.L. Sasser saying winds of up to 42 mph were creating "horrendous water currents." 

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