As the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl continues to impact Texas, more than 2.7 million homes and businesses are currently without power, according to PowerOutage.us. The majority of these outages are concentrated in the greater Houston area, with additional areas along the coast north of Corpus Christi to the Texas-Louisiana border and extending inland through a significant portion of East Texas also affected.
The lack of power comes at a critical time as heat and humidity levels are expected to rise to dangerous levels on Tuesday. With high temperatures forecasted to reach the low 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, coupled with elevated humidity levels, the heat index – which reflects how hot it feels to the body – is anticipated to soar into the 100s.
Specifically, Houston residents are bracing for a heat index of 105 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, relief from the scorching conditions appears unlikely in the near future, as the heat index is projected to remain in the triple digits daily through at least Sunday.
This prolonged period of intense heat poses a significant risk, particularly for individuals without access to reliable cooling mechanisms due to power outages or other factors. Improper use of generators in homes, a common occurrence during power outages, can further exacerbate the dangers associated with extreme heat.
It is crucial to recognize that heat is a formidable weather threat in the United States, claiming more lives annually than hurricanes and tornadoes combined. As such, it is imperative for residents in affected areas to take necessary precautions to safeguard their health and well-being during this challenging period.
