7 dead in Houston area from fallen trees, floods and fires

HOUSTON – Seven deaths were reported in the Houston area after Beryl tore through southeast Texas on Monday.

Three people were killed by falling trees, one died in a fire, two drowned and a government worker died after being trapped in his vehicle by floodwaters, authorities said.

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HPD Civilian Employee Dies in Floodwaters

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said a Level 1 civilian employee with the Houston Police Department died Monday while on his way to work.

According to the mayor, he was exiting I-45 when he entered floodwaters at the Houston Avenue underpass. The mayor said the employee called Houston police for help, but tragically, he died in his submerged vehicle.

Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite identified the employee as Information Technology Security Officer Russell Richardson. The 54-year-old was assigned to the Technology Services Bureau.

“We ask everyone to keep Russell’s family – his wife and children – as well as his colleagues and friends in your prayers,” Satterwhite wrote in a statement.

Deadly fire in southeast Houston

Mayor Whitmire also said one person died in a fire in southeast Houston.

He claims the fire was caused by lightning and was linked to a storm.

The deceased has not been identified.

Man dies after tree falls on his home in Humble area

A 53-year-old man tragically lost his life when an oak tree fell on his home during Hurricane Beryl in Humble.

The incident happened while the man was inside the home with his family in Kings River Village, seeking shelter from the storm.

Authorities say the man’s wife and children, who were also inside the home, escaped without injury.

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Grandmother killed by tree falling on Harris County home

A 73-year-old woman has died after a tree fell on her northern Harris County home as Hurricane Beryl moved through the area.

Family members identified the woman as Maria Laredo.

She lived with her son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

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Two dead in Fort Bend County

Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan confirms two people have died in the county.

According to the sheriff, an elderly woman went outside during the storm, became disoriented, fell into a swimming pool and drowned.

He says an autistic child also died after falling into a bayou.

Montgomery County Man Killed by Falling Tree

A New Caney man was killed by a falling tree Monday afternoon.

He was reportedly using a tractor to move debris from the roadway when the wind picked up and a large tree fell, landing on the man and the tractor.

The man, aged around forty, was pronounced dead at the scene.