Hurricane Beryl: Texas Impact, State Response, & Recovery Resources 

Houston Federation of Teachers members hand out groceries in coordination with the Houston Food Bank on Thursday. HFT, Cy-Fair AFT, and Aldine AFT all opened their doors this week or hosted events for their neighbors in need after Hurricane Beryl.  

Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday morning, July 8, near Matagorda. The storm brought sustained winds of 80 mph, heavy rainfall of 10-15 inches in some areas, and widespread flooding and power outages across Southeast Texas. As Beryl moved inland, it maintained hurricane strength until reaching the Houston area, causing extensive damage before weakening to a tropical storm as it continued northeast through East Texas. Throughout the week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has served as our acting governor because Gov. Greg Abbott has been on a pre-planned economic development trip to Asia, which he declined to cancel or return from early. 

Impact on Texas Communities 

The storm’s impact was felt most severely in coastal and Southeast Texas counties. Matagorda County was described by Patrick as the “hardest hit” area. In the coastal community of Sargent, about 2,500 households may be without power for up to two weeks. The Houston region bore the brunt of Beryl’s winds and rain, with widespread flooding, downed trees and power lines, and infrastructure damage. In addition to widespread power outages, cellphone service was also impacted for some Houston-area residents. 

The storm caused 2.7 million power outages, surpassing the record of 2.1 million set during Hurricane Ike in 2008. As of Thursday, July 11, over 1 million CenterPoint Energy customers alone remained without power, primarily in the Houston area and Southeast Texas. CenterPoint has created an online tracker which the company is using to provide estimated power restoration times. However, some residents have found that the outage map is not accurate for their neighborhoods and does not work on mobile phones. One Houston resident inadvertently discovered that the Whataburger app actually served as a more accurate gauge of which areas still had power. In an update, CenterPoint stated that, “To date, CenterPoint has restored more than 1.1 million customers impacted by Hurricane Beryl and expects to have an additional 400,000 customers restored by the end of day Friday, July 12, and a further 350,000 customers restored by the end of day Sunday, July 14.” 

The combination of power outages and rising summer temperatures, with heat indices expected to reach over 100 degrees, has created dangerous conditions for residents. Hospitals in the Houston area have reported difficulties discharging patients to powerless homes, leading to backups. To address this, NRG Stadium is being converted into a temporary 250-bed medical facility. 

The storm’s death toll has risen to at least 10 people across Texas. Causes of death include falling trees, drowning, heat-related illness, and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use. Property damage is extensive, with countless homes and businesses affected by wind damage, flooding, and power outages. 

Beryl Disaster Declaration & Federal Aid 

On Tuesday, July 9, President Joe Biden approved a federal emergency disaster declaration for Texas, as requested by Acting Gov. Patrick. The declaration covers 121 Texas counties, including hard-hit areas like Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria counties. This allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and eventually aid to individual homeowners and businesses for storm recovery costs.  

However, there has been some controversy surrounding the timing of the disaster declaration request and Gov. Abbott’s absence during this crisis. President Biden stated that federal aid was delayed because state officials were slow to make the official request. Both Patrick and Abbott denied this claim. 

According to reporting from Jeremy Wallace with the Houston Chronicle, Texas preemptively filed major disaster declarations with the White House in 2008, in 2017, and in 2020 before Hurricanes Ike, Harvey, and Hanna made landfall. However, this year state leaders failed to file a major disaster declaration until Tuesday, the day after Beryl made landfall. According to President Biden, the White House had to reach out to the acting Governor Dan Patrick to get him to file the declaration. The White House does not have the authority to make a major disaster declaration without a request from the governor.   

Texas Government Response vs. Texas Community Response 

As noted earlier, Acting Gov. Patrick has been leading the state’s response efforts in the absence of Gov. Abbott. Patrick has conducted press briefings in Houston, Galveston, and Bay City together with representatives of state agencies such as Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), providing updates on recovery efforts and coordinating with local officials.  

The state has sent emergency response and recovery resources into impacted communities, including personnel, ambulances, generators, tarps, emergency medical shelters, fuel, ready-to-eat meals, water, and ice. 

The storm’s impact extends beyond the immediate disaster area. Refineries along the Texas coast have reported instances of unplanned emissions due to shutdowns, raising environmental concerns. The Houston Airport System has resumed limited operations, but hundreds of flights remain canceled or delayed. 

In the face of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, the resilience and compassion of Texas communities have shone through. Across the affected coastal areas, stories of neighbors helping neighbors have emerged as beacons of hope amidst the destruction. 

These acts of kindness and solidarity highlight the strength of Texas communities in times of crisis. From sharing generators and helping with debris removal to providing emotional support and temporary shelter, neighbors are proving to be the first and sometimes most crucial line of support in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

As recovery efforts continue, state and local officials are urging residents to exercise caution, particularly regarding generator use to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and to stay off roads where possible to allow emergency crews to work. TDEM is coordinating cleanup efforts, advising residents to separate debris into vegetative, construction/demolition, and appliance categories to expedite removal. 

Texas AFT Disaster Relief Fund 

In the initial aftermath, Texas AFT has worked with our local unions to distribute care packages to members without food, open available offices as cooling and charging centers, and connect members with emergency resources. 

We are also aware, however, of the much larger and longer-term recovery efforts needed for so many along the Gulf Coast. Texas AFT has activated our union’s Disaster Relief Fund to assist affected members in the Houston and Gulf Coast region.  

If you are an AFT member or know an AFT member whose home, car, or property experienced significant damage during Hurricane Beryl, please email info@texasaft.org to receive an application for assistance through the Disaster Relief Fund.  

For those outside of the storm’s path, we ask that you consider making a small donation to the fund. Your donation is tax-deductible, and you do not have to be a member of our union to donate. All proceeds go to members in need.  

These donations are vital, especially since we are only at the start of the usual hurricane season. Given the impact of climate change and the projections for above-normal hurricane activity this year, we are concerned about sustaining Disaster Relief Funding throughout the season. 

Resources for Hurricane Beryl Recovery 

Multiple agencies and organizations are providing resources to assist Texans affected by Hurricane Beryl. It is crucial for affected residents to take prompt action in seeking assistance: 

• Insurance Claims: Residents should contact their insurance companies as soon as possible to initiate claims for storm-related damages. Document all damages with photos and videos before beginning any clean-up or repairs. The Texas Department of Insurance can help anyone who runs into trouble contacting or understanding their provider. The state helpline for residents can be reached at 800-252-3439. 

• FEMA Assistance: Once the federal disaster declaration for your area is finalized, residents in affected counties can apply for FEMA assistance for home repairs, temporary housing, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. It’s important to register with FEMA even if you have insurance, as FEMA may help with under-insured losses. More information about the federal resources available for Texans as a result of Hurricane Beryl can be found at fema.gov/disaster/4798. 

• State Resources: It’s important for Texans who sustained property damage as a result of the storm to submit an online damage report to TDEM as well. This information helps officials connect impacted Texans with resources and services, including debris removal assistance and emergency supplies. More information about state resources available can be found at https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/beryl. 

• Cooling Centers: With widespread power outages and rising temperatures, cooling centers have opened across the region. TDEM also has a map available to locate cooling centers opened and operated by local officials. 

• Food and Water Distribution: Harris County Precinct 2 has opened food distribution locations in Houston and Pasadena. Elected officials such as Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, state Senator Carol Alvarado, state Rep. Christina Morales, state Rep. Armando Walle, Councilmember Mario Castillo, Councilmember Joaquin Martinez, Judge Lucia Bates, and Constable Silvia Trevino have also partnered with community institutions, companies, and nonprofits including Houston Community College, H-E-B, Walmart, and the Houston Food Bank to provide resources to their constituents. Academy Sports + Outdoors is distributing free bottled water at several locations. Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams have also delivered meals from mobile kitchens in affected communities in partnership with Send Relief, providing assistance to thousands of people in crisis. 

• Shelter: The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are providing emergency shelter in various locations. 

• Utility Assistance: Power companies like CenterPoint Energy are working to restore electricity, though full restoration may take several days in some areas.  

Coping with Storm Anxiety & Hurricane Beryl Trauma 

Hurricanes and natural disasters, unfortunately, are familiar occurrences for Texans along the Gulf Coast. But that doesn’t blunt their impact on both adults and children. As the region recovers physically and environmentally, we also remind our members and their families to tend to their mental and emotional recovery as well.  

Supporting Adults 

• Free AFT member benefit: Trauma Counseling Programs and Services 

• Free webinar from AFT’s Share My Lesson: Supporting Your Own Well-Being 

Supporting Kids 

• Free resource from AFT’s Share My Lesson: Coping with Disaster  

• Free collection from AFT’s Share My Lesson: Disaster Recovery and Preparedness 

• Free webinar from AFT’s Share My Lesson: 9 Ways Educators Can Support Students Experiencing Trauma 

K-12 and Higher Education Closures 

The impact of Hurricane Beryl led to widespread closures across educational institutions in the affected areas. Many school districts and institutions of higher education initially closed on Monday and Tuesday (July 8-9) as the storm made landfall and moved through the region. As the week progressed, several districts extended their closures due to ongoing power outages, damage, and safety concerns. 

K-12 School Districts: 

• Houston ISD, the largest district in the area, canceled classes and activities through Wednesday, July 10. 

• Brazosport, Sweeny, Crosby, Humble, and Cleveland ISDs announced closures for the entire week. 

• Alvin, Conroe, Cypress-Fairbanks, Galena Park, Goose Creek CISD, Katy, Klein, La Porte, Magnolia, New Caney, Pearland, Spring, Spring Branch, Tomball, and Willis ISDs remained closed through Wednesday. 

• Aldine ISD, Fort Bend ISD, and Lamar CISD extended closures through Thursday, July 11. 

• Some districts, including Alief and Clear Creek ISDs, reopened on Wednesday. 

Higher Education Institutions: 

Many colleges and universities in the region closed on Monday and Tuesday, with some extending closures further into the week. 

• The University of Houston, UH at Sugar Land, UH at Katy, Alvin Community College, Houston Community College, Lee College, Lone Star College, and Texas A&M University at Galveston remained closed through Wednesday. 

• Galveston College, Lamar University, the University of Houston Downtown, Rice University, and Sam Houston State University announced plans to reopen on Wednesday. 

• The University of Houston-Clear Lake planned to reopen on Wednesday, except for its Pearland location, with classes resuming on Thursday. 

• Prairie View A&M University, University of St. Thomas, and University of Houston-Victoria had already reopened on Tuesday. 

These closures affected hundreds of thousands of students and staff across the region, disrupting summer classes, professional development sessions, and other educational activities. School districts and institutions of higher education faced challenges in assessing damage to their facilities, ensuring the safety of their campuses, and dealing with widespread power outages before making decisions about reopening. 

Significance of Historic Weather and Future Implications 

Hurricane Beryl’s early arrival and intensity have raised concerns among meteorologists and climate scientists about the potential for an unusually active and severe 2024 hurricane season. Beryl made history as the earliest hurricane to form in the eastern tropical Atlantic and the strongest June storm on record. Its rapid intensification and ability to maintain strength well inland caught many by surprise.  

“The era of nobody could have foreseen these conditions is over,” said Dr. Costa Samras, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, in an interview with the Texas Tribune.  

This sentiment reflects growing recognition that climate change is altering weather patterns and intensifying storms. 

With Beryl striking in early July, barely a month into the official hurricane season, experts are warning that coastal communities and inland areas alike may need to brace for more frequent and powerful storms in the coming months. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had already predicted an above-average hurricane season, but Beryl’s impact has some scientists considering whether even those projections may have been conservative. The combination of warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and the potential development of La Niña conditions later in the season could fuel more intense hurricanes. 

This early-season catastrophic event has sparked renewed discussions about the need for improved infrastructure resilience, more robust emergency preparedness, and accelerated efforts to address climate change. State and local officials across the Gulf Coast are reassessing their disaster response plans, while utility companies like CenterPoint Energy face mounting pressure to enhance grid resilience against increasingly severe weather events.