The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl continues to impact the Houston area, with over 800,000 customers still without power amid a severe heat wave. CenterPoint Energy, the primary utility provider, has faced criticism for its slow restoration efforts, with many residents expressing frustration over the prolonged outages. Some have been without electricity for nearly a week, and CenterPoint estimates that more than 400,000 homes and businesses may remain powerless into next week.

The heat has exacerbated the situation, leaving many struggling to find relief and access to food and clean water. Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, treating patients who cannot safely return home due to the lack of power. CenterPoint claims to have restored power to over 1.4 million customers faster than other utilities during similar storms, but the company is under scrutiny from residents and lawmakers alike. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, currently acting as governor, has vowed to hold CenterPoint accountable for its preparedness and response.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of storms, highlighting the need for infrastructure improvements. Michael Weber, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, emphasized the importance of investing in a more resilient energy grid, suggesting that CenterPoint's proposed $2 billion plan to strengthen infrastructure is essential for future stability.

As the Houston area grapples with the effects of Beryl, the storm's impact is felt far beyond Texas. In Vermont, cleanup efforts are underway following devastating flash floods that resulted in at least two fatalities and significant property damage. The floods serve as a stark reminder of the broader climate crisis, with nearly 42 million people under heat alerts across the western United States, where heat-related deaths have been reported.

In international news, Israeli forces have withdrawn from Gaza City, leaving destruction in their wake as residents return to assess the damage. Meanwhile, AT&T disclosed a significant security breach affecting nearly all of its customers, with compromised data including call records but not sensitive personal information.