Louisiana residents in Houston begin cleanup after beryl impact

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Louisiana residents now living in Houston are beginning cleanup efforts after Beryl brought high winds and torrential rains when it made landfall on Monday, July 8.

Tristan Babin, a Norce native who lives on the Katy-Houston border, described the fear that comes with being in the path of the storm.

“No matter what storm it is, once you’re in the cone, you just don’t know how bad it’s going to be,” Babin said.

His wife was busy preparing for the storm while he sent out emergency alerts for his employer. With more than 2.7 million Texans without power as of 5 p.m., Babin is grateful his power remained intact.

“This storm didn’t do too much damage to my house, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t do too much damage to other houses,” Babin said. “It really only takes this one storm to change your whole perspective on the season.”

Claire Cusimano, originally from New Orleans, found her Houston neighborhood near I-10 and the Beltway with flooded streets and debris, power outages and spotty cell service.

“This is obviously not a Harvey or a Katrina,” Cusimano said. “This one is obviously a little easier to deal with compared to other hurricanes.”

Cusimano’s children entertained themselves with cards and other games during the storm. Her son instead brushed his teeth by the light of his lightsaber.

TRACK BERYL

Robin Baudoin is relieved to have largely dodged Beryl’s bullet in southwest Louisiana. Baudoin’s home was destroyed by Hurricane Laura three years ago.

“When it rains, it is very light, but it is very gusty,” said Baudoin.

The same cannot be said of northwest Louisiana, where Beryl spawned several possible tornadoes, toppling mobile homes, snapping trees and damaging buildings.

In response, the Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing to send more resources to Texas.

“In Louisiana, we know what hurricanes are like, and we know how to help,” said Kenneth St. Charles, CEO of the Louisiana office.

The state is sending 20 volunteers to join more than 400 statewide Red Cross volunteers on the ground in Texas.

“When we arrive, we will only bring bodies,” St. Charles said. “Then we will take care of the equipment and supplies and distribute everything.”

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