As the sun beats down on Texas, nearly 1.7 million people are facing a third consecutive day without power, struggling to cope with the relentless heat and devastating aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. The acting governor, Dan Patrick, has confirmed that restoring electricity will be a “multi-day restoration event”, leaving many to wonder when they will be able to cool off or access essential medical equipment.
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott is under fire for his absence from the state, which has left a power vacuum in the midst of the crisis. Abbott is currently on a trip to Asia, nowhere to be found as the storm rages on. His critics argue that his prolonged absence is unacceptable, especially given the severity of the situation.
As the heatwave shows no signs of abating, the National Weather Service in Houston is warning of an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, with temperatures soaring into the lower and mid-90s. The heat index has reached a scorching 106F (41C) in some areas, with today’s forecast predicting a similarly sweltering 105F.
President Joe Biden has granted acting governor Patrick’s request for an emergency disaster declaration, mobilizing federal resources to aid in the recovery efforts. Under the declaration, all 121 affected counties will receive 75% reimbursement for debris removal, a crucial step in the relief process.
Effects of Hurricane BerylThe White House has issued a statement emphasizing the greatest concern is the power outages and extreme heat, which poses a grave risk to Texans, particularly those who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment such as oxygen machines and ventilators. The statement ominously notes, “As you all know, extreme heat kills more Americans than all the other natural disasters combined.”
CenterPoint Energy, the main utility operator serving the Greater Houston area, has made significant progress, restoring power to over 850,000 of the 2.26 million ratepayers who lost electricity due to Hurricane Beryl. However, many remain without power, and the acting governor has made it clear that he will be monitoring the situation closely.
The storm has claimed at least 10 lives in the United States, and as it continues to make its way north, the National Weather Service is warning of severe rain, flooding, and potential tornadoes in the midwest and north-east. For those affected by the storm, the wait for power to be restored and the heat to subside seems interminable.