By: Anya Chen

Hurricane Beryl arrived at East Texas and parts of Arkansas and Louisiana on Monday evening. Previously, Beryl brought strong winds and rains to Houston. Four were killed and three million homes and businesses lost power.

Hurricane Beryl hit several Caribbean islands on July 1. On July 3rd, it approached Jamaica as a Category 4 storm, and started making its way to Texas.

When it made its mark in a deadly path across the Caribbean last week, killing at least 11 people, it flattened many islands. Beryl also became the first hurricane to reach the Category 5 level this early in the hurricane season.

The winds had been a lot stronger than officials expected. Sections of highways in Houston were transformed into rivers, and at least eight people had to be rescued from high water.

Four deaths happened in Houston because of Beryl. One of the four was a civilian employee of the Houston Police Department. He drowned when his car became submerged in high waters. Two were killed when trees crashed onto their homes, and the fourth died in a house fire that officials say may have been caused by lightning.

Because of these extreme weather conditions, even airports are taking a step in making it as safe as possible.