HOUSTON - Hurricane Beryl brought devastating impacts to Texas, leaving over 3.5 million residents without power and facing a dangerous heat wave. The storm made landfall on July 10, 2024, as a Category 1 hurricane and caused widespread damage across the region.
According to various reports from CenterPoint Energy and other utility companies, approximately 3.5 million customers were left without electricity following the storm's passage. The power outages have been attributed to fallen trees and power lines damaged by heavy winds and rain.
The heat wave that followed Hurricane Beryl has added to the challenges faced by residents in Texas. Temperatures have soared into the 90s, making it difficult for people without air conditioning to stay cool. Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to stay home after dark due to traffic lights being out and prioritized restoring city and county services with the highest priority given to electricity and energy.
The National Weather Service has warned that the lack of air-conditioning will aggravate the risk for heat-related illnesses as temperatures continue to rise. The agency also reported at least 10 deaths in the United States since Beryl made landfall, many from trees falling onto their homes amid widespread flooding and disruption.
Beryl was the first storm in the Atlantic hurricane season to make landfall in the US after tearing a devastating path through the Caribbean, where it caused at least nine other deaths. Fourteen tornadoes were reported Monday in Texas, Louisiana, and southern Arkansas. Parts of Ohio and Michigan are under a level 2 of 5 severe thunderstorm threat.
The storm unleashed flooding rains and winds that transformed roads into rushing rivers, ripped through power lines and tossed trees into buildings. President Biden declared an emergency in Texas on July 10, authorizing federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Beryl.
CenterPoint Energy is working diligently to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. The company has stated that it may take several days or even weeks for power to be fully restored in some areas. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay informed about the progress of restoration efforts and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the ongoing heat wave.
