Hurricane Beryl Highlights Houston’s Infrastructure Vulnerabilities

When Hurricane Beryl hit Houston, it exposed significant weaknesses in the city’s ability to withstand even a mild hurricane, leaving millions without power.

Dylan Baddour reports for At the heart of climate news.

In short:

• Hurricane Beryl, a Category 1 storm, caused power outages and widespread flooding in Houston, highlighting the city’s vulnerability.
• Experts warn that stronger storms could cause catastrophic damage, similar to that caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.
• The storm has raised concerns about the preparedness of Houston’s infrastructure, particularly the power grid operated by CenterPoint Energy.

Key quote:

“A Category 1 hurricane shouldn’t take out your power grid. I think you have a problem with your power company, frankly.”

— Kerry Emanuel, veteran hurricane researcher and professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology

Why it matters:

Houston’s experience with Hurricane Beryl underscores the need to improve infrastructure to handle stronger storms. As climate change intensifies, such preparation is essential to protect lives and property.