Hurricane Beryl hit southeast Texas, causing a lot of damage and leaving over 2.6 million people without power. At least four people have died.
The hurricane, which started as a Category 1, has been downgraded to a tropical storm but still brings heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous storm surges.
Officials warned of up to 15 inches of rain and winds over 75 mph. Houston’s main airport canceled more than 1,100 flights. Residents are urged to stay safe and not underestimate the storm.
The storm previously killed at least 10 people in the Caribbean. In Texas, a man died when a tree fell on his home, a grandmother was killed by a falling tree, a police employee drowned in high water, and another person died in a lightning-caused house fire. Three more people died in Montgomery County.
Beryl is weakening but still poses risks of flash flooding as it moves north. Tornado warnings were issued for many Texas counties and some in Louisiana. The city of Galveston suggested voluntary evacuations due to expected storm surges.
Major ports in Texas are closed, halting trade. Over 2,500 emergency responders are ready to help. Beryl will move east across the US, avoiding central and west Texas, which are in drought.
Earlier, Beryl was a Category 5 hurricane, hitting Caribbean islands hard, including St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Jamaica.
The storm also affected Mexico’s tourist areas like Cancún and Tulum. Scientists link the storm’s strength to high sea temperatures.
This is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, but more major hurricanes are expected this year.
Source: BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51y49gwln0o