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Three people have died and millions more in Texas could be without power for days as Tropical Depression Beryl moves through the state.
After making landfall in the United States as a Category 1 hurricane near the coast of Matagorda on Monday morning, Beryl was downgraded to a tropical storm and then to a depression as it moved inland over eastern Texas, bringing heavy rains, strong winds and life-threatening conditions.
At least three people are believed to have died, including two who died when trees fell on houses.
A third person, a civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, was killed when he became trapped in floodwaters under an overpass, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.
More than 2.2 million homes and businesses around Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, were left without power after Beryl ripped through, according to utility CenterPoint Energy.
Acting Texas Gov. Dan Patrick said CenterPoint Energy is hiring thousands of additional workers to get the lights back on faster.
A Category 5 hurricane, Beryl has already left a trail of destruction in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Some power has been restored to Houston after Hurricane Beryl
Power has been restored to millions of homes and businesses that lost power after Hurricane Beryl struck the Houston area. Meanwhile, the weakened storm moved east, likely spawning tornadoes and causing more damage.
After peaking on Monday with more than 2.7 million customers in Houston without power, the number dropped to more than 2.4 million homes and businesses without power by Monday evening, according to PowerOutage.us.
With no cooling in homes, downed power lines and traffic lights not working, authorities asked residents to stay home if possible.
“Houstonians need to know that we are working around the clock to keep them safe,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire, urging residents to also be aware of the dangers of high water, drink plenty of fluids and keep an eye on their neighbors.
Stuti MishraJuly 9, 2024 09:00
Meteorologists warn that extreme heat risk in Texas during power outages could be dangerous for people
Millions of people in Texas could be without power for days after Hurricane Beryl moves in.
Meanwhile, heat warnings have been issued for millions of Americans across the country.
Experts warn that people in Texas are at greater risk of heat exhaustion due to extreme weather conditions.
“The heat can be dangerous for people without power and working to clear debris and repair storm damage,” said Jon Porter, AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist.
“Anyone without power in the Texas heat should have access to shaded areas and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.”
“People are understandably desperate for power when outages last days or weeks.” “We have seen tragic cases of people being injured or killed trying to use portable generators after a hurricane has made landfall.
“It is critical that people use extreme caution when operating generators and ensure there is adequate ventilation away from the doors and windows of your home.”
Stuti MishraJuly 9, 2024 08:38
In Pictures: Flooded Streets, Downed Power Lines, and Devastation from Beryl in Texas
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 08:00
Watch: How Beryl Intensified and Spread in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the US in 7 Days
Stuti MishraJuly 9, 2024 07:30
Beryl Downgraded to Tropical Storm
Beryl has weakened slightly, meaning it is no longer considered a hurricane, but a tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Beryl has sustained winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) as the storm approaches Houston, currently 19 miles (30 km) west-northwest of the city.
To be considered a hurricane, Beryl must reach a speed of at least 119 km/h (74 mph) to be a Category 1 hurricane, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Although no longer a hurricane, the NHC and local officials are still warning of dangerous weather conditions, with life-threatening storm surges, devastating wind gusts and significant flooding still occurring in parts of southeast Texas.
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 07:00
NOAA Wednesday evening update on Storm Beryl
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 06:00
ICYMI Watch: Texas residents prepare for Storm Beryl
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 05:15
Watch: History of Storm Beryl
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 04:30
Beryl continues to cause flooding and tornadoes
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 03:45
Tourists stranded at Cancun airport after Hurricane Beryl makes landfall on Mexican coast
See how tourists were left stranded at Cancun’s airport on Saturday (July 6) after Hurricane Beryl – now downgraded to a tropical storm – made landfall on the Mexican coast.
Mike BediganJuly 9, 2024 03:00