Hurricane Beryl Storm Kills Eight, Cuts Power to Millions of Houses in Texas

Hurricane Beryl has wreaked havoc in the southeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction and despair. At least eight people have died, and power has been knocked out for nearly three million people in Texas and Louisiana. 

Summarized Insights:

• Hurricane Beryl hits southeast US.

• Eight dead, millions without power.

• Severe flooding and wind damage.

• First major hurricane of 2024.

The hurricane, which initially made landfall as a category one storm, has since been downgraded to a tropical depression but continues to pose significant risks.

Beryl's impact was first felt on Monday morning when it slammed into the southern United States, bringing with it destructive winds, torrential rain, and life-threatening storm surges. 

Officials warned of up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain and devastating storm surges, leading to widespread flooding and power outages.

The storm caused major disruptions in air travel, with more than 1,100 flights canceled at Houston's main airport. 

I saw the damage from Hurricane Beryl firsthand with the Coast Guard in Freeport, Texas.

I will keep working as hard as I can to support Texans through this recovery and secure federal resources to help us rebuild. pic.twitter.com/Jb6NoObiDY

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 9, 2024

As of Tuesday morning, 2.3 million customers in Texas were without power, according to poweroutage.us, with additional outages reported in Louisiana and Arkansas. 

CenterPoint Energy, a Texas-based utility provider, has committed to restoring power for at least one million customers by the end of Wednesday.

In addition to the devastation in the United States, Hurricane Beryl also caused significant damage and fatalities in the Caribbean. 

In Texas, seven people lost their lives in Harris and Montgomery counties. 

A 53-year-old man died after winds downed power lines, causing a tree to fall on his home in Harris County, collapsing the roof. 

Beryl caused significant damage and flooding in Texas, leaving at least seven dead in the Houston region and over 2.3 million residents without power.

The Coast Guard shared this aerial view around Sargent, Texas, about 50 miles south of Houston. https://t.co/88HBVyniHP pic.twitter.com/MnABcZamu0

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) July 9, 2024

Another fatality in the same county involved 73-year-old grandmother Maria Loredo, who was killed when a tree crashed through her roof. Her family, including her two young grandchildren, fortunately escaped without injury.

The storm's impact on the Houston Police Department was also severe. 

Employee Russell Richardson, 54, drowned while attempting to drive through high water on his way to work. 

Another individual died in a house fire believed to have been sparked by lightning. 

In Montgomery County, three people lost their lives, including a man driving a tractor when a tree fell on him, and two homeless individuals whose tent was crushed by a falling tree.

Please pray for those suffering through the damage of Hurricane Beryl today. Almighty God please bless and cover Texas in Your protection. Amen! 🙏❤️✝️ pic.twitter.com/kdFboKCG7C

— Victoria 🇺🇸⏳🗽⚖️🚔 (@Loveof1776) July 9, 2024

Houston, a low-lying coastal city, is particularly susceptible to flooding. 

Sustained wind speeds in the area reached 75 mph (120 km/h), with gusts up to 87 mph as the storm made landfall. 

Beryl is expected to continue weakening as it moves north-northeast, but the National Hurricane Center warns that flash flooding and heavy rain remain significant risks.

In Louisiana, where over 20,000 people were without power on Tuesday morning, one fatality was reported when a tree fell on a home in Benton. 

The National Weather Service confirmed that Beryl spawned a tornado in Louisiana on Monday. 

Forecasters predict that the risk of tornadoes will shift to Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio on Tuesday.

The storm's impact on infrastructure has been profound. The ports of Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Freeport, and Texas City have all been closed. 

Drone video from @AaronRigsbyOSC captures homes destroyed by Beryl in Surfside Beach, Texas, on Monday. pic.twitter.com/hemdio1pU4

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) July 8, 2024

Over 2,500 emergency responders, including members of the Texas National Guard, have been mobilized to deal with the aftermath of Beryl. 

The hurricane is expected to continue its path eastward, impacting America's central states, including Mississippi, later in the week.

Before striking the United States, Beryl devastated several Caribbean islands, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Mayreau and Union, and Grenada. 

It was also one of the most powerful storms ever to hit Jamaica, and it brought heavy rain to tourist hotspots like Cancún and Tulum in southern Mexico. 

At its peak, Beryl became the earliest category five hurricane ever recorded, highlighting the increasing intensity of storms in the Atlantic.

While attributing specific storms to climate change is complex, exceptionally high sea surface temperatures are believed to have contributed to Beryl's power. 

As the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, Beryl has set a concerning precedent. 

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns that the North Atlantic could see as many as seven major hurricanes this year, up from the average of three per season.