Millions of Texans face a third day without power as Hurricane Beryl's aftermath coincides with dangerously high temperatures.
Pooja Salhotra, Emily Foxhall, and Alejandra Martinez report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Nearly 3 million Texans lost power due to Hurricane Beryl, with restoration efforts expected to take several days.
- The heat index is projected to exceed 100 degrees in some areas, exacerbating health risks for those without air conditioning.
- Officials emphasize the urgency of restoring power but face criticism over preparedness and response efforts.
Key quote:
“The power system is a life-saving critical infrastructure — it’s the difference between life and death. The era of nobody could have foreseen these conditions is over.”
— Costa Samaras, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University
Why this matters:
The combination of extreme heat and prolonged power outages poses severe health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. During these intense heatwaves, air conditioning becomes not just a comfort but a necessity for survival. Yet, power outages strip away this vital lifeline, leaving people to endure sweltering conditions with little relief. Without cooling centers or sufficient emergency measures in place, the risks of heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses skyrocket.
