Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Beryl struck southeast Texas, the storm's death toll has risen to 23, with Houston and Harris County experiencing significant heat-related fatalities. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences reported that seven out of 14 storm-related deaths in the area were due to hyperthermia, caused by prolonged power outages. Beryl, which hit as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, left nearly 3 million homes and businesses without power. High temperatures, reaching triple digits in some areas, worsened conditions for residents without electricity, refrigeration and air conditioning. In Galveston, Matagorda and Montgomery counties, nine additional storm-related deaths were reported, including fatalities from heat exposure and fallen trees. Five victims in Galveston County died from complications related to power loss. Governor Greg Abbott criticized CenterPoint Energy for the extended outages and demanded a plan to prevent future power failures. He emphasized the urgent need for electricity restoration during a press conference in Houston, highlighting the life-threatening challenges posed by extreme heat. State and local agencies are distributing meals and essentials to those still affected by the outages, as heat advisories continue across the region.