The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl continues to haunt Texas, with nearly 60,000 people still without power more than a week after the storm swept through the state. The lack of electricity has proven deadly, as a woman was found dead in her apartment after enduring eight days without air conditioning in the scorching heat.
The heat wave gripping Texas has claimed more than a dozen lives, prompting frustrations to boil over in Houston. Residents living without power have reportedly harassed and threatened workers from CenterPoint Energy, the local energy provider tasked with restoring electricity.
Governor Greg Abbott has expressed his disappointment in CenterPoint Energy, stating that the company has “lost the faith and trust of Texans.” He has given the company until July 31 to address what went wrong and how they plan to prevent similar issues in the future.
The situation has put a strain on local hospitals, which have become overwhelmed due to the combination of power outages and high temperatures. Cooling centers have been set up in churches, libraries, and even Houston’s football stadium to provide relief for those in need.
As the heatwave shows no signs of relenting, climate scientists warn that hotter days are becoming more frequent and intense due to human-led climate change. The recent spate of heat-related deaths across the US serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change.
