Beryl, the first hurricane to hit the United States in 2023, made landfall in Houston as a Category 1 storm, bringing torrential rain, high winds, and widespread power outages. At least three fatalities have been reported.
Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2023 Atlantic season, made landfall near Freeport, Texas, early Monday morning, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the Houston area. The storm quickly weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland, but continued to cause significant disruption.
According to the National Weather Service, Beryl brought wind gusts of up to 90 mph to the Houston area, causing downed trees, power lines, and widespread property damage. As of Monday evening, over 1 million homes and businesses in the region were without power, with some areas expected to remain without electricity for several days.
Hurricane Beryl Wreaks Havoc on Houston
The heavy rain associated with Beryl also caused significant flooding in low-lying areas of Houston. Several major highways were closed due to high water, and some neighborhoods were inaccessible to emergency vehicles.
At least three fatalities have been reported in connection with Beryl. One person was killed when a tree fell on their home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land. Another person died in a car accident caused by the storm's high winds, and a third person drowned in floodwaters.
The Houston Independent School District, the largest school district in the United States, closed all of its schools on Monday due to the storm. Other school districts in the Houston area also canceled classes for the day.
Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for Texas on Monday morning, and President Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for the affected areas. FEMA and other federal agencies are working with state and local officials to provide assistance to those affected by the storm.
The cleanup and recovery effort from Hurricane Beryl is expected to take several days, as crews work to restore power, clear debris, and repair damaged infrastructure. Residents in affected areas are urged to follow the instructions of local authorities and to be aware of potential hazards, such as downed power lines and flooded roads.
* Beryl is the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Hurricane Ida devastated Louisiana in August 2021.
* The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak of activity occurring in August and September.
* Residents of hurricane-prone areas are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane by creating an emergency plan, securing their homes, and stocking up on essential supplies.
