July 8th 2024.
As Storm Beryl moves in, flooding is becoming a widespread issue along the coast. The weather has made a dramatic turn for the worse, with a dangerous storm surge and strong winds hitting the Texas coast. Reports from CenterPoint Energy in Houston have revealed that over 2 million homes and businesses are currently without power. This is a cause for concern, as the storm's center has officially made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane at around 10am BST time. The location of impact was 85 miles south-west of Houston, with top sustained winds reaching up to 80mph.
According to the US National Weather Service, Beryl had actually strengthened and regained hurricane status late on Sunday. This was a surprise to many, as the storm had previously weakened after causing destruction in parts of Mexico and the Caribbean just a few days prior. As expected, the high waters have already begun to cause road closures in Houston. This comes as no surprise, as the city has been hit with heavy storms in recent months, leading to flooded neighborhoods and widespread power outages. Some residents have even found the situation to be somewhat comical, drawing comparisons to the infamous Hurricane Harvey that occurred a few years ago.
Despite the warnings and precautions, some residents have still gone out for a ride before the storm fully takes hold. As a result, hundreds of flights from Houston's two major commercial airports have been delayed, with dozens more being cancelled. Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, has stated that although Beryl is moving inland, the situation is far from over. The storm's center is expected to continue moving over eastern Texas on Monday, and then through the lower Mississippi Valley into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.
As the storm approaches, Houston and surrounding areas are already experiencing heavy rain and strong winds. In Corpus Christi, businesses have taken precautionary measures by using sandbags to barricade their premises. Unfortunately, the high winds have already caused some damage, with a semi-truck overturning on the road. In preparation for the storm, people living on the Texas coast have boarded up their windows and evacuated beach towns. However, there are concerns that not enough residents and vacationers in Beryl's path have heeded the warnings to leave.
Dan Patrick, who is currently serving as the state's acting governor while Governor Greg Abbott is away, has voiced his concerns about the situation. He has pointed out that despite the warnings, the roads leading away from the coast are still relatively clear. This is a worrying sign, as it suggests that many people have chosen to stay put rather than evacuate to safer areas. As the storm continues to wreak havoc, officials are urging everyone to take caution and follow the necessary safety measures.
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