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Texas deaths from Hurricane Beryl climb to at least 36, including more who lost power in heat
HOUSTON (AP) — The number of Texas deaths after Hurricane Beryl came ashore and knocked out power to millions of residents climbed to at least 36 on Thursday as officials confirmed more people who died in homes that were left without air conditioning during sweltering heat.
The medical examiner’s office in Fort Bend County confirmed nine more deaths, including four that were at least partially attributed to hyperthermia, or when a person’s body temperature rises far above normal. At least a dozen other residents in the Houston area also died from complications due to the heat and losing power, according to officials.
Most Houston residents had their electricity restored last week after days of widespread outages during sweltering summer temperatures. Officials had said some residents and businesses would need to do repairs to damaged equipment they are responsible for before being able to get power.
CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells, the head of the city’s power utility, apologized to customers Thursday for the company’s response after Beryl and told state regulators the utility was already working to better prepare for the next storm. The Gov. Greg Abbott and lawmakers have demanded answers from the utility over why electricity was out for so long.