Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 80 mph (128.7 km/h), has since weakened to a tropical storm but continues to wreak havoc across the state. The storm’s impact has been severe, with at least two confirmed deaths in the Houston area when trees fell on homes. The number of customers without power has dramatically increased, now affecting over 2.5 million homes and businesses across Texas.The storm has brought intense rainfall and flooding to many areas, with some regions receiving up to 9 inches of rain. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned of life-threatening storm surges, with potential increases of up to 6 feet above normal sea levels in areas like Galveston and Houston. Flash flood warnings remain in effect for large parts of southeastern Texas, including Houston, and officials are urging residents to stay off roads and avoid windows and balconies due to high winds.Transportation has been significantly disrupted, with hundreds of flights canceled at Houston’s airports and the Port of Houston shut down. Several coastal counties have issued voluntary evacuation orders, though officials have expressed concern that not enough people have heeded these warnings.As Beryl moves inland, it’s expected to continue weakening, potentially becoming a tropical depression by Tuesday. However, the storm is projected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the Mississippi and Ohio valleys in the coming days. The White House has stated it is monitoring the situation closely.Scientists note that climate change, which leads to warmer ocean temperatures, may be contributing to the increasing intensity of such storms. Beryl’s rapid intensification from a Category 1 to a Category 5 hurricane earlier in the season surprised experts and marked the earliest Category 5 storm on record.
Key points
- Hurricane Beryl has weakened to a tropical storm but continues to cause significant damage in Texas.
- At least two deaths have been confirmed, and over 2.
- The storm has brought intense rainfall, flooding, and strong winds, with some areas receiving up to 9 inches of rain.
- Scientists link the storm’s rapid intensification to climate change and warmer ocean temperatures.
5 million customers are without power.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of power outages, ranging from 1.
5 million to 2.
5 million customers affected.
👾The number of reported deaths varies between sources, with some reporting one death and others reporting two.
