Millions remain without power as recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which ripped through the Houston area on July 8, causing major damage and several deaths.
On July 10, President Biden approved a Texas disaster declaration and ordered federal aid to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts, following a request from acting Gov. Dan Patrick.
“FEMA’s assistance with these costs will expedite the recovery process and help ensure the safety of Texans impacted by Hurricane Beryl. The president granted my request,” Patrick said, per The Texan.
The storm took the lives of at least 10 people, either directly or indirectly, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Three people in the Houston area died due to falling trees, two died from drowning, and one died in a house fire.
In Galveston County, two people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from generators. One person died after a lack of oxygen due to the storm knocking out power.
One person in Louisiana died after a tree fell on her house.
At the height of the storm, over 2.7 million homes and businesses were left without power, and as of July 10, over 1.5 million were still without electricity.
“We are doing everything we possibly can to see that your electricity is restored,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a Tuesday press conference, per Fox 4.
“It affects everything we talk about today: safety, work, church, families, education. Yes, we are in constant touch with CenterPoint. We are holding them accountable. I talk to them every four hours for an update.”
The hurricane spawned several tornadoes throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Several volunteers from North Texas made their way to Houston Tuesday morning to help those impacted by Beryl, according to Fox 4.
The group known as Texas on Mission loaded up a laundry unit and one of their mobile mass-feeding kitchens, with plans to serve around 6,000 meals per day to the persons impacted by the storm.
Spokesperson John Hall told Fox 4 that the group has been preparing to send over help since Beryl began forming in the Atlantic.
“In times like these, people don’t know where to turn, and they don’t know who to trust. And so Texans on Mission brings a trusted partner that people can rely on, who know that they will be given good advice,” Hall said.
“They will be given practical help, they will be given prayer, encouragement, just to make the days better now and for brighter days to come.”