The Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl: Houstonians Struggle Without Power

As the residents of Houston enter their fifth day without power, the physical and mental toll is becoming overwhelming. Preston McGowen, a long-time resident of a northeast-side neighborhood, expressed the sentiment shared by many: “Nobody should have to live like this.”

McGowen, who has lived in his home for 50 years, is now dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. A fallen tree is just one of the challenges he faces in the sweltering Houston heat. Living without power is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous, especially during the summer months.

He described the frustration of expecting the power to come back on, only to be met with darkness. “You keep thinking they’re coming on … no light. So you gotta do the best you can — try to stay cool and try to keep you some water,” he said.

McGowen is not alone in his struggles. Marcia Phillips, just a few blocks away, is also facing her own set of challenges. A tree crashed through her bedroom, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. “It’s just sad. It has you all frustrated. It’s just a mess,” she lamented.

Both McGowen and Phillips are overwhelmed by the extent of the damage and are anxiously awaiting assistance. Phillips expressed her feelings of helplessness, saying, “Ain’t no way in the world I can fix all of this.”

Despite the devastation, they are both trying to take it one day at a time. “We’re waiting to see, can we get help?” Phillips said. McGowen echoed her plea for assistance, acknowledging that the road to recovery will be long and uncertain.

It’s a waiting game that no one in Houston anticipated or wanted to play. The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of destruction and a community in need of urgent support.