By: Selena Lin
Tropical storm Beryl brought death and destruction to Houston, Texas. Beryl was a major hurricane, but hurricanes as big as it rarely appear at this time of the year. So, what caused the tropical storm, what effects does it have, and what does it mean for areas around Houston?
A tropical storm is a rapidly rotating storm system that consists of strong winds and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. Tropical storms form when warm ocean air rises into the storm, causing an area of low pressure underneath, which leads more air to rush in. The air then rises and cools, forming clouds and thunderstorms. According to NPR, ocean temperatures are at record highs, and warm water fuels hurricanes. Beryl first formed in the tropical Atlantic. Usually, hurricanes at this time of the year aren’t big, as oceans generally warm up later in the year. However, with all the extra heat in the oceans this year, Beryl had a lot of fuel to grow.
Beryl has brought both death and destruction to Houston. The storm was flooding highways, tearing trees from the ground, cutting off power for over 3 million homes, and killing 4 people. Houston bureau chief J. David Goodman told New York Times reporters that trees tore from the ground, and sections of highways flooded into rivers all over the city. At least 8 people had to be rescued from the high waters.
We know that Beryl hit Houston, but what does that mean for all the areas around it? This hurricane is now bringing thunderstorms and tornado warnings to East Texas, parts of Arkansas, and Louisiana. The immense power of Hurricane Beryl was unexpected, so the tropical storm that is predicted to hit areas around Houston will most likely also have a lot of power
According to CNN reporters, restoring power to millions of Texans slammed by the deadly and destructive storm could take days or even weeks, posing a dangerous scenario for residents without air conditioning as triple-digit heat index temperatures hit the state.
Image Credit by Ray Bilcliff