Official statements from the Texas Governor's office or news reports

Texas Struggles with Power Outages and Heat After Hurricane Beryl; 350,000 Homes Affected, 13 Deaths

Jul 15, 2024, 01:05 AM

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, Texas is grappling with widespread power outages, oppressive heat, and significant damage. Governor Greg Abbott has demanded immediate action from CenterPoint Energy to improve their hurricane preparation and response efforts. As of Sunday, around 350,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area remain without power. The Major Disaster Declaration has been updated to include 17 Texas counties, making them eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. Fort Bend County residents, initially excluded, are now eligible for this assistance. Judge KP George announced that residents in Harris, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties can now apply for FEMA aid. The hurricane has caused at least 13 deaths, with reports ranging from 9 to 11 initially. The prolonged power outages have led to heat-related deaths and severe hardships for residents, including those in Galveston and surrounding farms. Governor Abbott has threatened executive action against CenterPoint if they do not comply with his demands. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with community centers providing food, water, and ice to affected residents. CenterPoint has managed to restore power to 50,000 to 60,000 customers so far.