Texas heat-related deaths rise as Beryl causes power outages for millions

As of Sunday, the death toll from Hurricane Beryl has risen to at least 23 in southeast Texas, following the storm’s impact on July 8. The casualties include those who succumbed to heat illness, drowning, and injuries from the storm and subsequent cleanup efforts.

The hurricane, which hit as a Category 1 storm, caused severe damage with strong winds, heavy rain, and widespread flooding. It knocked out power to nearly 3 million homes, schools, and businesses. Many residents struggled without power in extreme heat, leading to increased use of cooling centers, hotels, and temporary shelters, which often reached full capacity. Some had no choice but to sleep in their cars, risking carbon monoxide poisoning.

In Harris County, seven of the fourteen reported storm-related deaths were due to environmental heat exposure caused by the prolonged power outage. The latest update shows that Beryl’s death toll surpasses that of Hurricane Ike in the Houston area. Hurricane Ike, which struck in September 2008, had left 11 fatalities in Harris County.

The updated numbers also include deaths in Galveston, Matagorda, and Montgomery counties. In Galveston County alone, five individuals died from heat-related complications due to the electricity loss. Additionally, three deaths in Montgomery County were attributed to fallen trees, and one person in Matagorda County died from heatstroke