Tropical Storm Beryl leaves 4 dead in Texas and causes a massive blackout

The passage of Tropical Storm Beryl through Texas (USA) left at least four dead and caused a massive blackout, affecting more than 2 million people, according to various authorities.

Beryl, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm early Monday following making landfall in the southeast of the state on Sunday, will continue to move toward the center of the country and the Great Lakes area, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

The storm is expected to continue to weaken, but the NWS still warned of potential flooding across the state and along the coasts.

The NWS has also issued tornado warnings for eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

A man navigates flood waters following heavy rains caused by Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Texas, USA.

In the Houston area, the state’s most populous city and one of the hardest hit by the storm, authorities reported a total of four deaths this followingnoon, including a local police officer.

The latter was identified as Russell Richardson, 54, who died following being trapped in his car in the middle of a flood.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also said at a press conference today that more than 2.7 million people across the state are without power and indicated that it will take “several days” to restore service.

CenterPoint Energy, which serves the city, said Beryl had a “greater than expected” impact on its customers and said more than 2.26 million people remained without power Monday, according to a statement.

“We are mobilizing all of our resources (…) to begin the process of restoring power to our customers quickly and safely,” company vice president Lynnae Wilson said in the statement.

A view of some vehicles trapped in flood waters following heavy rains caused by Hurricane Beryl in Houston, Texas (USA).

Before reaching the United States, Beryl reached the highest category of 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale a week ago in the Caribbean, where it caused death and destruction, and then made landfall early Friday morning in Tulum, Mexico.

Three named tropical storms have formed so far during the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1: Alberto, Beryl and Chris.

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is set to be well above average, with up to 13 hurricanes possible, including up to seven major hurricanes, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

USA / EFE