Hurricane Beryl ripped a path of destruction through the heart of Texas the past week, transforming roads into rivers, killing at least four people, and knocking out power for more than two million customers across Texas. The storm, which made landfall early Monday as a Category 1 hurricane, weakened as it passed over the city and continued its swirling march north. Local authorities noted that the storm’s relatively modest official strength undersold its power. As Beryl churned through Houston, officials warned residents to stay inside and away from windows. By Monday afternoon, residents emerged to find a landscape of downed power lines, damaged homes, fallen trees, and rippling water along the streets. The city’s airports remained closed into the afternoon due to lingering strong winds. Houstonians, accustomed to power outages and strong weather, were alarmed by Beryl’s unexpected ferocity, particularly so early in a hurricane season predicted to be unusually active.
In the wake of the devastation, soldiers from The Texas State Guard 3rd Brigade were deployed to Cooke County, where they witnessed extreme destruction. Entire houses and factories were destroyed, leaving many residents without shelter. Emergency responders, alongside The Texas State Guard, worked tirelessly to assist in a multitude of missions. These missions ranged from setting up Points of Distribution (POD) locations so they can provide essential supplies to citizens affected and operating shelters for those displaced by the storm. The efforts of the 3rd Brigade were crucial in stabilizing the region and ensuring that residents received the immediate aid they needed.
Simultaneously, soldiers from The 1st Brigade of The Texas State Guard were deployed to Angleton, Texas, to assist in a Point of Distribution mission. Their task was to hand out ice, water, and other essential supplies to residents affected by Hurricane Beryl. The deployment of the 1st Brigade was vital in ensuring that the community had access to necessary resources during the aftermath of the storm. Their presence and dedication helped to alleviate the immediate needs of the residents, providing much-needed relief and support as the region began the long process of recovery and rebuilding.
A few photos of the recent storm deployment in Cooke County. Photographer, CPT Richie Tidwell.
Texas State Guard service members from 1st Brigade support the citizens of Angleton, Texas, in the distribution of supplies, alongside partnering agencies and organizations like City of Angleton – City Hall and Angleton Parks and Recreation Department in response to Hurricane Beryl.
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Source: Texas State Guard 1st Brigade – 3rd Brigade
