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Tropical Storm Beryl made its landfall as a Category 1 hurricane around 4 a.m. Monday in Matagorda Bay, officially making it the first hurricane in Texas this season.
Beryl sustained winds over 74 mph, causing damage across the region as it made its way north. Parts of Galveston Island had a voluntary evacuation order issued hours leading up to landfall. The storm has left more than 2 million people without power and at least seven dead, according to officials.
The Abdelraoufsinno compiled a list of resources to help you in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane.
If you have to leave your home
Officials advise you to not leave your home today. If you must, check TranStar’s live traffic map here for the latest road closures and high water areas.
You can also view Harris County’s Flood Warning System here to see the inches of rainfall in different areas.
The city of Houston will be placing barricades near flooded areas.
You can also call 1-800-452-9292 to learn about traffic and road conditions.
If you see fallen power lines
If you see downed power lines, stay 35 feet away at all times. Any downed power line is considered active. Immediately report the downed power line to 311.
How to report a power outage
If you are without power, you can report an outage to 311 or 713-207-2222.
If you see a traffic light out or flashing lights out, call 311 or 713-837-0311 to make a report.
How to safely use a portable generator
If you bought a portable generator for this storm and need to use it, be sure to take a moment to read the instructions. It’s important to not use the generator indoors, according to Ready.gov. Be sure to place it at least 20 feet away from any enclosed area.
Keep the generator dry and away from rain or water. Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the generator. When refueling, let the generator cool down completely beforehand.
Using a generator in an improper place can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Signs that you have been exposed to carbon monoxide include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
Who to call if you’re having a life-threatening emergency
If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. But city officials urge you to leave 911 calls for emergencies only. Call 311 for other non-life threatening emergencies.
If you see fallen trees or debris
You can call the city at 311 or 713-837-0311 to report fallen trees or limbs that are blocking roads.
Call CrowdSource Rescue’s home cleanup hotline at 979-217-3791 to request free assistance with the following:
- Cutting fallen trees
- Removing drywall, flooring, and appliances
- Tarping roofs
- Mold mitigations
Harris County Precinct 3 asks residents to call 713-274-3880 or email [email protected] to report damages and request debris pickup. If debris is blocking roadways, call Harris County Precinct 3 at 713-274-3100 or report online at pct3.com/service-request.
If you’re in Harris County Precinct 4, you can call 832-927-4444 to report fallen trees or debris that are blocking roads. You can also request a service online here or email the precinct at [email protected].
How long your food will last
If you are without power, be sure to eat any perishable foods first. According to Ready.gov, a refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer can keep its temperature for about 48 hours. Do not eat any food if the temperature reaches 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more. You can also use your senses to see if the food smells, looks or feels off.
If you need food
The Salvation Army Texas Emergency Disaster Services team is coordinating a mass feeding operation in Houston with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief. A second site is being planned for Wharton, Texas.
Ten mobile kitchens are activated in the Gulf Coast region and five additional units are on standby. Exact locations for the feeding sites and distributions will be announced on its website and Facebook.
All food operations are expected to begin Tuesday.
The Houston Food Bank is unable to take calls due to downed internet service from the storm, but you can find a list of open food pantries here.
If you need shelter
If your home has sustained damage due to the disaster, call the American Red Cross at 800-733-2767 to see if they can help provide you or your family shelter.
If you’re in Fort Bend County and need shelter, you can relocate to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Building C, located at 4310 Hwy. 36 South.
Commissioner Lesley Briones will open three cooling centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations:
- Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston
- Radack Community Center: 18650 Clay Road, Houston
- Weekley Community Center: 8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress
If you need a cooling center
Several cooling centers throughout Houston will be open through Tuesday evening, city officials announced.
The locations are:
Southwest Multi-Service Center
6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Crosby Community Center
409 Hare Road, Crosby, TX 77532
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Trini Mendenhall Community Center
1414 Wirt Road, Houston, TX 77055
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Big Stone Lodge
709 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring, TX 77373
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Juergen’s Hall Community Center
26026 Hempstead Road, Cypress, TX 77429
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bayland Community Center
6400 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Radack Community Center
18650 Clay Road, Houston, TX 77084
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekley Community Center
8440 Greenhouse Road, Cypress, TX 77433
No times listed
Lakewood Church
3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77027
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kroger stores will also be open to the public as cooling centers with a select number also offering charging stations.
If you need emotional help
You can call or text the Disaster Distress National Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 if you need to chat with an expert about the storm. The helpline is free and confidential, and is available in English and Spanish.
You can also call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 to speak with a crisis counselor if you are dealing with emotional distress.
Additional online resources to help with emotional distress:
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- American Red Cross
- Ready.gov
If you’re able to volunteer
The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers. You can apply to volunteer here.
The storms knocked out the Houston Food Bank's internet service. As a result, it is unable to take calls, but the food bank is looking for volunteers to distribute water, food and other disaster-related supplies. To sign up, go here.
If you need financial assistance
In the aftermath of natural disasters, the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency offer disaster loans. Neither agency has announced any relief yet in response to Hurricane Beryl, but there are financial planning things you can do in the immediate aftermath.
The American Red Cross advises you to prepare a list of damaged or lost items, and take photos or videos of any damage to your property.
If you need to replace documents, the American Red Cross offers a list of places you can go to get items like your driver’s license or or social security card replaced.
If you need Wi-Fi
Comcast Texas has opened all operational Wi-Fi hotspots in Houston for free. You can find a hotspot near you by clicking here.
Where to report damages
If your home sustained damages, you can submit a report to the Texas Division of Emergency Management here. This allows for officials to connect resources and services to residents.
If you need additional help
You can call 211 to find additional resources or to get help making decisions.
This is not an exhaustive list of resources for the Houston region. If you have any additional resources Houstonians should know, please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected].
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