Live updates: Tropical Storm Beryl strikes Houston

Beryl made landfall south of Houston on Monday morning .

Threat level: Power outages are widespread in the Houston metro area and may spread inland as the slowly weakening storm moves northward.

• Beryl made landfall around 4am Monday as a Category 1 hurricane near Matagorda.
• The storm is producing "Life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall" along with damaging winds along the coast that are moving inland, according to the National Hurricane Center.
• The NHC reported Monday morning that weather stations in Freeport and San Bernard recorded wind gusts up to 92 mph and 91 mph, respectively.

The latest: More than 2.2 million CenterPoint Energy customers are without power, a number that could grow as the storm continues to damage local power infrastructure.

Check out our 2024 Atlantic hurricane season tracker .

At least two dead from Beryl storm damage

At least two people have died from storm damage, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

• A 53-year-old man riding out the storm at home in the 20900 block of Heather Grove Court died when a tree fell on his house, sparing his wife and children.
• A 74-year-old woman also died when a tree fell on her home in the 17400 block of Rustic Canyon Trail.

More than a dozen bayous and creeks are out of their banks , with dozens more on the brink.

What we're watching: Mayor John Whitmire is expected to address media at 11am.

Houston's multi-service centers without power

Mayor John Whitmire urged Houstonians to shelter in place as first responders rescue people in "desperate life-threatening situations."

Most of the city's multi-service centers are without power and unable to accommodate residents in need, Whitmire said.

• Several of the centers, as well as the city's Bureau of Animal Care and Regulation, have inoperable generators that did not kick on when power went out, Whitmire said.
• "We have a lot to do to assess things in the future days," he said.

In the meantime, Houston firefighters and police officers are rescuing people from flooded streets and underneath downed trees.

• Police had rescued eight people as of 11:30am, according to Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Thomas Hardin.
• There have been more than 400 calls to 911 for help, Houston fire chief Samuel Peña said.

What they're saying: Whitmire urged residents to stay home.

• "Do not put our first responders in further danger."

Of note: Houston arson investigators are working to determine if a deadly fire in southeast Houston this morning was the result of the storm.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Beryl is inching north and weakening as it moves inland.

• Much of the region remains under a flash flood warning until 1pm .
• Flooded streets will slowly drain, but bayous and creeks remain swelled .

Winds decrease as Beryl moves north

A storm surge and tropical storm warning is in effect for the area north of San Luis Pass to Sabine Pass, including Galveston Bay, according to a 1pm update from the National Hurricane Center.

State of play: Sustained winds have decreased to 60 mph with higher wind gusts, and Beryl is expected to become a post-tropical cyclone on Tuesday.

• Topical storm-force winds extend upward up to 115 miles, mostly southeast from the center.
• Forecasters reported wind gusts of 56 mph at Huntsville Municipal Airport and 54 mph at Beaumont/Port Arthur Regional Airport.

Zoom in: Heavy rainfall of 5-10 inches — with 15 inches in some areas — is expected across portions of the Upper Texas Coast and eastern Texas into tonight.

• Plus, tornadoes are possible tonight through parts of east Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Zoom out: The center of Beryl will move over eastern Texas today before moving through the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Officials are warning residents to take precautions when using a portable power generator, and offered the following tips:

1. Only operate generators outdoors in a dry and well-ventilated space.
2. Inspect and maintain your generator regularly, and keep fresh gas in the tank.
3. Do not use charcoal inside to heat homes or sit in cars in the garage, which puts you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

What's next: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will give an update on Hurricane Beryl in a 5pm press conference .

Resources for displaced residents

Here's what to know if you're facing storm damage.

1. Report losses and damages from flooding to your insurance as soon as you can, FEMA officials say.

• If you need help finding your insurance agent or carrier, call the National Flood Insurance Program at 877-336-2627.

2. Give cleanup crews time to work their way through the city to pick up debris and hazards.

• Residents should report downed wires and other hazardous conditions to their local authorities or power company, and reserve 911 for true emergencies.

3. Know where to find help. Local groups and churches have opened their doors for displaced residents.

• Mattress Mack opened his Gallery Furniture store on 6006 North Freeway. No animals are allowed.
• The Conroe Salvation Army Center of Hope remains open 24 hours a day with meals available at the back door of the shelter from 11am to noon and 5-6pm.
• The Under Over Fellowship at 600 South Frazier in Conroe opened as a 24-hour emergency shelter Monday.
• The American Red Cross is offering relief services to people in the path of the storm and can help displaced residents find shelter and food by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Dig deeper: How to help

Schools announce Tuesday closures

School closures will continue into Tuesday because of power outages and debris.

What they're saying: "Due to widespread power outages and potential safety issues for TISD families and staff, Tomball ISD will be closed Tuesday, July 9, 2024," Tomball ISD officials said in a statement . "The closure includes all schools and facilities, summer school, camps, and activities."

• Other school districts that have announced Tuesday closures include Aldine, Alief, Brazosport, Clear Creek, Crosby, Cypress-Fairbanks, Fort Bend, Houston, Humble, Klein, Lamar, Pearland, Spring, Spring Branch and Sweeny, the Houston Chronicle reported .
• The University of Houston and Rice have yet to announce whether classes will be canceled Tuesday.

The latest: At least one tornado touched in Jasper, and the National Weather Service forecasters issued tornado warnings across eastern Texas on Monday afternoon.

Lt. Gov Patrick, emergency officials provide Beryl update

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick , Texas Division of Emergency Management chief Nim Kidd and Texas Public Utility Commission chairman Thomas Gleeson provided an update on the state's response to Beryl on Monday evening.

• "For those of you who are in the areas of Texas where the storm has passed through, do not take your safety for granted," Patrick said. "We still have power lines down, there are over 50 roads that are covered with water, some of them are unpassable."
• "We're not past any flooding, we're not past difficult conditions, but the storm by midnight will be beyond us."

Of note: Patrick is the acting governor while Gov. Greg Abbott is on a weeklong trip to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan to meet with leaders on economic development opportunities.

State of play: "This will be a multi-day restoration effort," Gleeson said. "I ask Texans for their patience as the crews are out there doing their best to restore energy across the state."

• Patrick said Centerpoint has 11,500 workers coming from across Texas and other states to help with restoration as more than 2 million of its customers are without power.

Officials urged residents to not approach downed power lines, be careful about using generators and candles indoors, and avoid driving after dark if possible.

What's next: Tornadoes are possible tonight across parts of East Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, according to the National Hurricane Center, as well as an additional 4 to 8 inches of rainfall in those areas.