Government Ineptitude Leaves Millions in Peril

The following is a report on the government's failure to adequately protect the people of Texas:

TEXAS — The first hurricane of the Atlantic season, Beryl, slammed into Houston early Monday, marking its third landfall in Texas and the latest example of the government's failure to prepare for and respond to an escalating climate crisis.

Deadly Impact

Beryl made landfall near Matagorda, Texas, at 4:30 a.m. on July 8 as a Category 1 storm with winds of 80 mph. The deadly storm is expected to weaken but will continue to batter Texas and surrounding states throughout the week.

Houston Under Siege

Houston, Kingwood, and Spring remain under a tropical storm warning as Beryl unleashes its fury with gusty winds, torrential rain, and potential tornadoes. Peak winds are forecast to reach 60 mph, with gusts up to 85 mph. Houston is bracing for the storm's eye, which is expected to pass over the city later on Monday.

Austin in the Line of Fire

The National Weather Service predicts Beryl's path will take it just east of Austin, bringing tropical storm conditions and heavy rain. Lavaca and Fayette counties are under a tropical storm warning, and a flood watch is in effect for Lavaca, Fayette, and Lee counties, with up to four inches of rain expected.

A Historic Storm

Beryl's timeline reveals the dire situation facing Texas:

• June 28: Tropical Depression 2 formed, eventually strengthening into Beryl.
• June 29: Beryl became the first hurricane of the season.
• June 30: Rapid intensification saw Beryl reach Category 4 status with winds of 130 mph.
• July 1: Beryl made its first landfall, ravaging islands in the Caribbean as a devastating Category 4 hurricane. It later strengthened into a Category 5 storm.
• July 2-4: Beryl continued its path of destruction, impacting Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and the Cayman Islands.
• July 5: Beryl made its second landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula, weakening to a tropical storm.
• July 7-8: Beryl re-intensified into a hurricane, making its third and final landfall in Texas.

Texans are once again on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing deadly storms, flooding, and the government's gross negligence in addressing the root causes and providing adequate protection and relief.

URLs:

• Hurricane Trackers: https://data.naplesnews.com/storm/#spaghetti
• National Weather Service, Houston: https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=TXZ213&warncounty=TXC201&firewxzone=TXZ213&local_place1=Houston%20TX&product1=Hurricane+Local+Statement&lat=29.7608&lon=-95.3695
• National Weather Service Austin: https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=TXZ192&warncounty=TXC453&firewxzone=TXZ192&local_place1=Austin%20TX&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook&lat=30.265&lon=-97.7466