Josh Vance finds himself at the Sunnyside Community Center in Houston, Texas, seeking relief from scorching temperatures and power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. Still without electricity four days after the storm hit, Vance describes the situation as dire: "Dealing with the heat at home, it's terrible. Honestly, we're suffering."

Hurricane Beryl spared the state's oil and gas industry but left widespread devastation in its wake, flooding neighborhoods, toppling trees, and crippling power infrastructure. In Texas alone, seven fatalities were reported, and two million customers, mostly in Houston, lost power. As of Friday, half of those affected were still awaiting restoration, highlighting the challenges faced by grid operators.

In response, cooling centers like the one Vance frequents have become vital refuges. "You'd be amazed how much we're so acclimated to [electricity], and without the power, it's living in hell," Vance laments.

Texas operates its own autonomous power grid, a unique setup in the U.S. This independence has historically posed challenges during emergencies, notably during the February 2021 winter storm that caused widespread outages and fatalities due to heating demand and natural gas supply issues.

Criticism has mounted over the slow restoration of power following Hurricane Beryl, prompting investigations into utility company CenterPoint's response. "They underestimated the impact of the storm," remarks Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, echoing frustrations shared by affected residents.

Amid the ongoing recovery efforts, residents like Maria Dionisio, also at the cooling center, grapple with ruined food and essential supplies. "There is nothing to eat," Dionisio laments, underscoring the immediate hardships faced by those without power.

Looking ahead, fears linger about the potential for more severe storms during hurricane season. "I'm praying to God there's not [a hurricane] right behind this one, because if there is, we're in trouble," Vance expresses, capturing the apprehension of a community striving to rebuild amidst uncertainty.