Beryl unleashes high winds, heavy rains in Texas, leaves 2 mn without power

Tropical Storm Beryl unleashed heavy rains and powerful winds along the Texas coast on Monday, knocking out power to more than 2 million homes and businesses and flooding streets with fast-rising waters as first responders raced to rescue stranded residents.

Beryl had already cut a deadly path through parts of Mexico and the Caribbean before making a turn, sweeping ashore as a Category 1 hurricane in Texas early Monday, then later weakening to a tropical storm. At least two people were killed. The National Hurricane Centre said damaging winds and flash flooding will continue as Beryl continues pushing inland.

More than 2 million homes and businesses in the Houston area were without electricity, CenterPoint Energy officials said. Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick, who is acting governor while Texas Gov Greg Abbott is out of the country, said crews cannot get out to restore it until the wind dies down.

Residents without power were doing their best.

We haven't really slept, said Eva Costancio