United States: Tropical Storm Beryl has struck southeast Texas with powerful winds and heavy rain, resulting in at least three fatalities, widespread flooding, and significant disruptions.
The storm, initially a Category 5 hurricane, weakened as it made landfall near Matagorda, causing storm surges and intense rainfall across Houston, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Beryl had previously left a trail of destruction through Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, claiming 11 lives in Mexico and the Caribbean before reaching Texas. In Houston, two individuals died when trees fell on their homes, and another person drowned in a flooded underpass.
The storm also impacted oil production and refining activities in Texas, prompting evacuations and slowdowns in the nation’s largest oil and natural gas-producing state.
Authorities warned of continued tropical storm conditions, including high winds and flooding, urging residents to stay indoors. The storm’s aftermath left over 2.7 million homes and businesses without power, with officials anticipating several days for full restoration. Emergency responders were mobilized statewide, conducting rescues and assessing the widespread damage.
As Beryl moved northeastward, it continued to cause heavy rain across Arkansas and into the Ohio Valley. Agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, had positioned staff to assist in search and rescue efforts, while local communities prepared for potential flash floods and disruptions to essential services.
Several counties in southeastern Texas – including Houston, where many U.S. energy companies are headquartered – are under a flash flood warning.
The storm had a severe impact on transportation, with over 1,300 flights cancelled, and major oil-shipping ports temporarily closed, potentially affecting crude oil exports and refinery operations.
Small businesses in affected areas are closed temporarily, and schools preemptively shut down as a safety precaution.
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