Texas cleans up after deadly Beryl slams state before tracking north as post-tropical cyclone

While many communities, islands and countries have experienced some of the worst conditions Beryl has had to offer, from its peak at a deadly Category 5 hurricane to its continuing power as a Tropical Storm.

However, AccuWeather reporters believe that there is plenty more named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) to come.

AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said it will take only a week or two for sea surface temperatures to rebound in the wake of Beryl, meaning the risk for more tropical threats in the Gulf of Mexico will be increased.

“We’ve been concerned about this hurricane season and the risk to the Texas coast since AccuWeather issued its first forecast in March. Water temperatures across much of the Gulf of Mexico are essentially as warm as bathtub water. Those warm waters are at the surface, and they extend hundreds of feet down. Warm waters act like jet fuel for hurricanes, and it won’t take long for temperatures to rebound in the wake of Beryl,” said DaSilva.

“We’ll be keeping a very close eye on the Gulf of Mexico and the Texas coast for more tropical threats this summer. AccuWeather is forecasting 20 to 25 named storms and four to six direct impacts on the United States this season.”

Meanwhile, NOAA National Weather Service forecasters predicted in May a range of 17 to 25 total named storms this year in the Atlantic, 8 to 13 of those forecast to become hurricanes.

Beryl is barrelling into Texas.

Residents on the upper Texas Gulf Coast and in the eastern part of the state should prepare for flash flooding today into tonight, while harsh wind gusts could hit Houston some this afternoon.

Officials also warned that Texas beachgoers be cautious of rip currents due to the threatening conditions.

More than 2 million customers are without power in the Houston area as Beryl’s eye heads toward the state’s largest city.

High winds, flooded roads, and toppled trees have led to downed lines and power outages.

Electric company CenterPoint Energy warned locals to stay away from power lines: “If you see a downed line, assume it is energized and stay at least 35 feet away.”

The company also advised to not stand in or drive through flood waters “as they can potentially carry an electrical current from downed power lines.”

A 53-year-old was killed during Hurricane Beryl after a tree fell on his home outside of Houston, authorities said.

Authorities in Harris County, Texas, said the unnamed man died after getting trapped under the debris, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Monday morning.

The 53-year-old man was reportedly sitting in his house along the 20900 block of Heather Grove Court in Kings River Village of Humble, Texas, with his family and riding out the storm. An oak tree fell on the roof and hit the rafters, causing the structure to fall on the man, the sheriff said.

His wife and children are unharmed.

Gonzalez said the fire department was on the scene, and he was trying to make it to the home.

Beryl slammed into Texas on Monday morning after causing havoc throughout the Caribbean. The storm brought gusts of upward of 100 mph and a dangerous storm surge to the Lone Star state. Videos and photos on social media showed winds tearing into homes and uprooting trees.

Read the full story...

A 53-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman died after trees fell on their homes in Texas as Beryl pummels the state.

A granchild called 911 to report that a tree had fallen through the grandmother’s roof of her home in Harris County, according to the Harris County Constable Precinct 4. An investigation is underway.

Also on Monday morning, an unnamed 53-year-old man was reportedly sitting in his house in Humble, Texas, with his family when an oak tree fell on the roof and hit the rafters, causing the structure to fall on the man, authorities said. His wife and children are unharmed.

The tragedies come as Beryl’s powerful winds and flash floods continue to tear apart Texas. More than 2 million in the state are without power.

Winds in eastern Texas are whipping at up to 81mph, according to the National Hurricane Center, which warned of “very hazardous conditions” in the area.

Beryl is raging through Texas and has caused power outages for millions of customers.

Agencies warn of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of using back-up generators.

The National Hurricane Center also advised being cautious around downed powerlines and flooding.

The center wrote: “Remember, historically almost half of all lives lost during a hurricane are AFTER it passes.”

More than 2 million Texans are without power as the tropical storm slams the Houston area on Monday afternoon.

“We haven’t really slept,” said Eva Costancio, 67, told the Associated Press.

A tree that had downed electric lines in her neighborhood in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg.

Without power for about four hours on Monday, she said she was worried about the food in her fridge spoiling.

“We are struggling to have food and losing that food would be difficult,” she said.

Several tornadoes are possible Monday night across parts of east Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The risk of tornadoes could reach into southeast Missouri, northern Tennessee, Kentucky, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and Ohio on Tuesday, the center warned.

Flash flooding is also expected in eastern Texas and western Louisiana as Beryl continues to rampage the region.

Officials have urged continued caution over “deadly hazards” which remain along the coast of Texas as of Monday afternoon, including downed power lines and flooded areas.

Water levels will remain elevated along Galveston Bay and along the coast of Texas from Port O'Connor to Sabine Pass, according to NOAA’s update on the storm as of 4pm local time.