Houston is grappling with extreme heat as millions remain without power following Hurricane Beryl's impact. The storm, which struck Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, has led to widespread power outages, with many residents seeking refuge in cooling centers and struggling to find basic necessities.
The heatwave on Tuesday brought temperatures back into the 90s (above 32.2°C), exacerbating the discomfort for those without electricity. The National Weather Service warned of potentially dangerous conditions due to the lack of power and air conditioning. Nearly 2 million homes and businesses in Houston were still without power on Tuesday, down from over 2.7 million on Monday.
Hospitals are feeling the strain, with Texas’ lieutenant governor announcing that a sports complex would be used to temporarily house up to 250 patients awaiting discharge. Sixteen hospitals were running on generator power, and the top priority remains restoring electricity.
Residents like Walter Perez have been seeking relief at places like Joel Osteen's megachurch, which has been serving as a cooling center and distributing water. Families are particularly vulnerable, with Perez highlighting the difficulty of coping with the heat, especially for children.
Lines for food and fuel stretched across the city, with people waiting for hours at fast food restaurants and gas stations that remained open. Frustration is mounting over the city's preparedness and response to the storm, with residents like Dwight Yell criticizing the lack of adequate warning and preparation.
Officials are under scrutiny for the response to a storm less powerful than previous hurricanes. CenterPoint Energy aims to restore power to 1 million customers by Wednesday, but full restoration could take several more days. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has emphasized that nursing homes and assisted living centers are the highest priority.
CenterPoint Energy defended its efforts, highlighting the mobilization of thousands of crews shortly after the storm passed. However, residents like Robin Taylor, already displaced by previous storms, expressed anger over the city's inability to handle the hurricane effectively.
Louisiana has also declared a state of emergency due to the damage caused by Beryl. The hurricane has been blamed for at least seven deaths in the U.S. and 11 in the Caribbean. Jamaica faces food shortages after the storm destroyed significant agricultural resources.
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