Tropical Storm Beryl, which made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday, has left a trail of destruction across the state and neighboring Louisiana. The death toll has risen to at least 8 people, with 7 fatalities reported in Texas and 1 in Louisiana. Among the victims was a 54-year-old police officer who died after being trapped in his car during a flood in the Houston area.The storm has caused widespread power outages, with nearly 3 million customers now without electricity in Texas. CenterPoint Energy, the primary electricity provider in the Houston area, reported that over 2.26 million of its customers are still without power. Texas Vice-Governor Dan Patrick stated that it could take ‘several days’ to restore service. The situation is particularly challenging as temperatures are forecast to climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the coming days.Beryl has brought intense rainfall and flooding to many areas, prompting dozens of high-water rescues. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued flood warnings for the entire state of Texas and coastal areas. The storm has also spawned several tornadoes, with the NWS confirming twisters in northeastern Louisiana. A particularly destructive tornado in Jasper County, Texas, near the Louisiana border, destroyed around 30 homes.As Beryl moves inland, it has weakened to a tropical depression. However, the National Hurricane Center continues to warn of life-threatening storm surges along the Gulf Coast, with people advised to be cautious of strong currents. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to several states as it moves towards the central US and the Great Lakes region in the coming days.The impact of Beryl extends beyond the immediate affected areas. Over 1,100 flights have been cancelled, and Texas officials are preparing to open cooling centers and food and water distribution centers to assist those affected by the storm. The storm’s intensity and rapid development earlier in the season have raised concerns among climate scientists about the potential impact of climate change on hurricane formation and strength.
Key points
- Tropical Storm Beryl has caused at least 8 deaths in Texas and Louisiana.
- Nearly 3 million customers are without power in Texas, with restoration expected to take several days.
- The storm has weakened to a tropical depression but continues to pose risks of flooding, tornadoes, and storm surges.
Contradictions👾There are discrepancies in the reported death toll, with some sources citing 4 deaths, while others report up to 8 deaths.
👾The number of customers without power varies between sources, ranging from 2 million to nearly 3 million.
