The storm made landfall on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane near Matagorda, bringing hurricane-force winds of up to 80 miles per hour to the Texas coast. Although subsequently downgraded to a tropical storm, Beryl's impact continued to be felt as it moved north through the Houston region.

According to local officials, more than 2.2 million homes and businesses in the Houston area were left without electricity as a result of the storm. Additionally, the storm's powerful winds caused numerous power transmission towers to collapse, exacerbating the outage issue. CenterPoint Energy's online outage tracker revealed the extensive scale of the power loss.

Tragically, two individuals lost their lives as a result of fallen trees. In Humble, a 53-year-old man was killed when an oak tree fell on his home, while in northwest Houston, a 74-year-old woman died after a tree struck her residence. These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather events.

The torrential rainfall accompanying Hurricane Beryl caused significant flooding in the Houston area. Many bayous and roadways were submerged, prompting local emergency responders to conduct high-water rescues. One such rescue, which captured the attention of local TV stations, showcased the dramatic efforts to save a man who had sought refuge on the roof of his pickup truck in fast-flowing waters on 288.

To ensure public safety, Houston Mayor John Whitmire urged residents to shelter in place until the afternoon and advised them to stay away from windows due to the unexpected strength of the winds. Responding to the hazardous conditions, the METRO public transit service announced the suspension of all its services for the remainder of the day.

The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for the Southeast Texas region, including the Houston and Beaumont metro areas, and a flash flood warning was also in effect. A storm surge warning remained in place along the Gulf Coast from Galveston to Matagorda Bay.

Rainfall totals exceeded 5 inches in many parts of the Houston area, according to the Harris County Flood Warning System. Some southern areas of the county recorded as much as 9 inches of rainfall. The combination of heavy rain and storm surge resulted in extensive flooding across the region.

Healthcare facilities were also impacted by the storm. St. Luke's Health-Brazosport Hospital experienced power loss and damage, necessitating the transfer of patients to other hospitals. However, no patients or staff were injured during the incident. While some hospitals and emergency rooms remained open, many clinics and medical facilities chose to close temporarily for safety reasons.

As the state and federal government ramp up relief efforts, President Joe Biden received regular updates on the storm's progress. The U.S. Coast Guard and FEMA have prepared search and rescue teams, and FEMA has stockpiled essential supplies such as bottled water, meals, tarps, and electric generators in case of further need.

The impact of Hurricane Beryl serves as a somber reminder of the destructive force of nature. Residents are encouraged to stay updated with the latest information, heed the advice of local officials, and prioritize their safety during this challenging time.

This latest hurricane is not an anomaly for Texas, as Hurricane Beryl becomes the 10th hurricane to hit the state in July since 1851 and the fourth in the last 25 years, according to hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach from Colorado State University.