HOUSTON, Texas – Weather experts are predicting that the 2024 hurricane season will be especially active. Those in Texas have already felt, and are still feeling the impacts of this year’s first storms.
The first signs of Hurricane Beryl started forming in late June off the western coast of Africa. It gained considerable traction as it traveled across the Atlantic eventually making its first landfall as a Category 4 tropical cyclone in the island country of Grenada. By the time it reached Matagorda, Texas on July 8 the storm had been downgraded to Category 1 Hurricane. Despite losing substantial momentum Texas residents encountered heavy rainfall, flooding and loss of electricity.
As of July 16, the death toll in southeast Texas has risen to 18 people. The loss of life can be attributed to drownings and heat-related illnesses as many struggled without electricity in the Texas heat.
Leadership Complications
Texans are no strangers to the impacts of life-changing storms such as Beryl. While many families grappled with the storm’s side effects they became aware that Governor Greg Abbott wasn’t in Texas, or even the U.S. Abbott was thousands of miles away on an economic development trip in East Asia. The Texas governor stated that his absence did not hinder disaster response as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick acted in his place.
The circumstances are highly comparable to Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Record-breaking low temperatures were witnessed and many were left without power or experienced rolling blackouts to retain the integrity of the state’s power grid. Amid the crisis, Texas Senator Ted Cruz fled the state with his family for the warmer climate of Cancun, Mexico. When Texans caught wind of this proclaimed act of betrayal Cruz was immediately scrutinized and returned to the state.
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When Beryl finally reached the Houston metro, more than 2 million residents were left without power. Now over a week later, the Texas Public Utility Commission has probed an investigation into CenterPoint Energy. The utility company is the main provider of electricity and natural gas in the Houston region. CenterPoint is facing backlash for lack of preparation ahead of the tropical storm and insufficient communication with customers.
After natural disasters, those impacted often seek relief and assistance from FEMA. Some Houston residents have reported that their applications to FEMA have been denied. There are several reasons why the relief may have gone unapproved including existing insurance coverage and lacking proof of identification. Regardless of the reasoning, Texans are rightfully upset at the number of roadblocks they have faced while trying to rebuild post-Beryl.
Left to fend for themselves, a big name to come out of the state’s most populated city has stepped up to help. Megan Thee Stallion’s nonprofit The Pete and Thomas Foundation has partnered with another local organization to provide generators to senior citizens and their families.
Houston’s Black and queer community is also pitching in to assist those still struggling in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. The Normal Anomaly Initiative has joined forces with The Paris Effect to put on a benefit show. Proceeds from the event will go to Montrose Center’s LGBTQIA+ Fund and Allies in Hope’s Stone Soup Food Pantry.
Future Implications and Needs for Infrastructure Improvement
Climate scientists expect storms like tropical cyclones to intensify due to climate change. Fortifying existing infrastructure may help protect cities from the severe side effects that occur in the aftermath of natural disasters. Houston for instance, has witnessed similar outcomes in 2008 and 2017 with Hurricanes Ike and Harvey. All three storms have made it apparent that tree maintenance around powerlines is crucial. Additionally, transitioning to underground powerlines will help avoid widespread outages when strong winds manifest.
Even with attention being brought to power grid infrastructure, the city remains in need of improvements to its floodplain protection. Houston isn’t the only coastal city that needs to step up their disaster protection protocols.
The Global Center on Adaptation is an international organization that works to promote climate change adaptation. The group suggests combining nature-based solutions and traditional infrastructure to increase resilience. Some U.S. cities have welcomed climate resilience programs like Babcock Ranch, a community in Florida that came out of 2022’s Hurricane Ian unscathed. However, one issue with towns such as Babcock Ranch is that owning a home in a new up-and-coming community is costly and out of reach for low-income families.