Three people have died, and millions more in Texas could be left without power for days as the Tropical Storm Beryl continues to surge through the state.
After making landfall in the United States as a Category 1 hurricane on the coast of Matagorda on Monday morning, Beryl was downgraded to Tropical Storm as it traversed inland across eastern Texas, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and life-threatening conditions.
At least three people are believed to be dead, including two who were killed when trees fell on homes, according the National Hurricane Center.
A third person, a civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, was killed when he was trapped in flood waters under a highway overpass, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.
More than 2.2 million homes and businesses were without power around Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, after Beryl blew through, according to the CenterPoint Energy utility.
Acting Texas Governor Dan Patrick said CenterPoint Energy was bringing in thousands of additional workers to help get the lights turned back on quicker. He said the storm toppled 10 transmission lines and that many of the outages were caused by fallen trees.
Beryl has already left a trail of destruction as a Category 5 hurricane through Mexico and the Caribbean.
Three people killed by Beryl
At least three people are have been killed as Storm Beryl continues to rip through Texas.
A civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, was killed when he was trapped in flood waters under a highway overpass, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.
Two others were killed – 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman – when trees fell on homes, and the National Hurricane Center said damaging winds and flash flooding would continue as the storm pushed further inland.
A granchild called 911 to report that a tree had fallen through the grandmother’s roof of her home in Harris County, according to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4. An investigation is underway.
Also on Monday morning, an unnamed 53-year-old man was reportedly sitting in his house in Humble, Texas, with his family when an oak tree fell on the roof and hit the rafters, causing the structure to fall on the man, authorities said. His wife and children are unharmed.
Mike Bedigan9 July 2024 00:50
The risk of flooding remains even after Beryl continues to move through the US.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided a Monday evening update on the potential of flooding from the once-hurricane. Eastern Texas remains to have the greatest threat today and throughout the week.
However, large portions of the US could see a risk of flooding from the storm. Forecasters advise major cities such as St. Louis and Detroit could be in the elevated flood risk areas.
Alex Lang8 July 2024 23:34
Official urge caution over ongoing ‘deadly hazards’ of Hurricane Beryl
Officials have urged continued caution over “deadly hazards” which remain along the coast of Texas as of Monday afternoon, including downed power lines and flooded areas.
Water levels will remain elevated along Galveston Bay and along the coast of Texas from Port O’Connor to Sabine Pass, according to NOAA’s update on the storm as of 4pm local time.
Mike Bedigan8 July 2024 22:50
The southern US faces flash flooding and tornadoes as Beryl pummels Texas
Several tornadoes are possible Monday night across parts of east Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The risk of tornadoes could reach into southeast Missouri, northern Tennessee, Kentucky, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and Ohio on Tuesday, the center warned.
Flash flooding is also expected in eastern Texas and western Louisiana as Beryl continues to rampage the region.
Kelly Rissman8 July 2024 22:00
Beryl’s power outages leave Texans to face harsh realities
More than 2 million Texans are without power as the tropical storm slams the Houston area on Monday afternoon.
“We haven’t really slept,” said Eva Costancio, 67, told the Associated Press.
A tree that had downed electric lines in her neighborhood in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg.
Without power for about four hours on Monday, she said she was worried about the food in her fridge spoiling.
“We are struggling to have food and losing that food would be difficult,” she said.
Kelly Rissman8 July 2024 21:40
Beryl clean-up could be just as dangerous as the storm itself, agencies warn
Beryl is raging through Texas and has caused power outages for millions of customers.
Agencies warn of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of using back-up generators.
The National Hurricane Center also advised being cautious around downed powerlines and flooding.
The center wrote: “Remember, historically almost half of all lives lost during a hurricane are AFTER it passes.”
Kelly Rissman8 July 2024 21:20
Beryl claims two lives in Texas
A 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman died after trees fell on their homes in Texas as Beryl pummels the state.
A granchild called 911 to report that a tree had fallen through the grandmother’s roof of her home in Harris County, according to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4. An investigation is underway.
Also on Monday morning, an unnamed 53-year-old man was reportedly sitting in his house in Humble, Texas, with his family when an oak tree fell on the roof and hit the rafters, causing the structure to fall on the man, authorities said. His wife and children are unharmed.
The tragedies come as Beryl’s powerful winds and flash floods continue to tear apart Texas. More than 2 million in the state are without power.
Winds in eastern Texas are whipping at up to 81mph, according to the National Hurricane Center, which warned of “very hazardous conditions” in the area.
Kelly Rissman8 July 2024 20:57
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