HOUSTON (AP) — Tropical Storm Beryl hit Texas on Monday, causing power outages for almost 3 million homes and businesses and bringing heavy rains that led to numerous high-water rescues. The storm, moving quickly, posed a threat to several other states in the upcoming days.
Texas state and local authorities cautioned that it may take several days to restore power after Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, causing the collapse of 10 transmission lines and knocking down trees that damaged power lines.
Within a short time, Beryl weakened into a tropical storm, significantly less powerful than the Category 5 hurricane that devastated parts of Mexico and the Caribbean over the weekend. Nevertheless, the storm’s winds and rains were still strong enough to bring down many trees that were already unstable in saturated soil, as well as strand numerous cars on flooded roads.
While moving inland, the storm continued to pose a tornado threat.
“We’re still facing challenging conditions,” said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who was serving as governor while Gov. Greg Abbott was out of the country, noting that restoring power could take multiple days.
Houston experienced significant impact as CenterPoint Energy reported over 2 million properties without power in and around the city. Patrick mentioned that the company was mobilizing additional workers to reinstate power, with priority given to facilities like nursing homes and assisted living centers.
At least two individuals lost their lives due to trees falling on homes, and the National Hurricane Center warned of destructive winds and flash floods as Beryl moves further inland. Additionally, a civilian Houston Police Department employee lost his life after being trapped in floodwaters under a highway overpass, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. However, there were no immediate reports of widespread structural damage.
The power outage was a familiar situation for Houston residents, who had recently faced severe storms in May that resulted in fatalities and left nearly 1 million without power.
Residents left without power after Beryl were coping as best they could.
“We haven’t really slept,” said Eva Costancio as she looked at a large fallen tree blocking power lines in her Rosenberg neighborhood. Costancio, 67, mentioned that she had been without power for several hours and was concerned about food spoilage in her refrigerator.
“We are struggling to have food and it would be hard to lose that food,” she expressed.
Houston and Harris County officials assured that power crews would expedite service restoration, especially critical with homes lacking air conditioning in the summer heat. Temperatures, although initially cooled by the storm, were expected to rise back to the 90s soon. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory predicting a heat index of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) in the area.
The state was prepared to establish cooling and distribution centers for food and water, said Nim Kidd, chief of state emergency operations.
Beryl’s rainfall pounded Houston on Monday, causing street closures in areas already impacted by previous storms. Local news stations broadcast the dramatic rescue of a man stranded on the roof of his truck surrounded by fast-flowing waters. Emergency crews used a fire truck ladder to deliver a life preserver and rescue the man.
Houston officials reported at least 25 water rescues by Monday afternoon, primarily for individuals stuck in flooded vehicles.
“First responders are risking their lives. This is what they’re trained for, and it’s working,” remarked Houston Mayor John Whitmire.
Javier Mejia was among a group of onlookers near the truck rescue location, observing other submerged vehicles on the flooded highway.
“If you don’t have a way out, you’ll end up like that,” Mejia commented.
Having experienced previous storms in Houston, Mejia had stocked up on supplies but forgot to get gas for his generator. He planned to search for gas to preserve his food and use the grill if needed.
Throughout Houston, fallen branches and debris cluttered streets and neighborhoods. Residents were seen cutting down trees and clearing debris from roads and sidewalks with chainsaws.
Patrick cautioned that flooding could persist for days as rain continued to fall on already saturated ground.
“This is an event that will last more than a day,” he emphasized.
President Joe Biden was receiving updates on the storm, with the U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA readying search and rescue teams, as well as supplies like bottled water, meals, tarps, and generators.
Several companies with facilities in the area reported power disruptions, necessitating the flaring of gases at their plants.
Marathon Petroleum Corp. conducted a controlled gas flaring at its Galveston Bay Refinery, and other companies like Formosa Plastics Corporation and Freeport LNG also reported flaring due to the storm.
Beryl, the earliest storm to develop into a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, caused at least 11 deaths as it moved through the Caribbean towards Texas. In Jamaica, officials announced food shortages following significant crop and infrastructure destruction.
Louisiana also prepared for heavy rainfall and potential flash floods, with tornado warnings issued across northwest Louisiana. Missouri, already dealing with wet weather, anticipated the effects of Beryl’s rain and winds in the coming days.
Associated Press reporters Jim Vertuno in Austin, Texas; Corey Williams in Detroit; Julie Walker in New York; Melina Walling in Chicago; and Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed to this report.
