HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Officials from multiple counties confirm with that at least 20 people across the region have died from Hurricane Beryl, with the death toll continuing to rise.
Many of the fatalities are due to fallen trees and drownings. However, an increasing number of deaths are being attributed to heat-related causes due to prolonged power outages.
The Jarrett family in Spring has spoken to after the Harris County medical examiner’s office confirmed that their 64-year-old loved one was among those who died from the heat last week.
Pamela Jarrett, who was 64 and relied on a wheelchair and feeding tube, died on Thursday in the home she shared with her sister and caretaker, Janet Jarrett.
“This could have been avoided; she didn’t have to die that day,” Janet said tearfully on Wednesday evening.
Pamela passed away after several days without power, during which Janet did everything she could to keep her sister cool. Despite using ice, water, and cool bed showers, Pamela became unresponsive on Thursday morning. Janet struggled to get a signal to call 911, and by the time the ambulance arrived, she knew her sister was gone.
“As much as I tried to save her, I couldn’t save her,” Janet said.
Pamela’s family is now preparing to bury her in a pearly white dress that lay where she took her final breath. They remember her fondly as funny, sassy, and passionate about fashion.
On Wednesday afternoon, Houston City Council members voiced concerns about the growing number of deaths due to power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl.
“This loss of life continues to grow and it didn’t have to happen like this,” Councilwoman Abbie Kamin said.
Hurting families, like the Jarretts, agree. Janet emphasized that having electricity would have prevented her sister’s death. Pamela was on CenterPoint’s emergency list, but her power wasn’t restored until Tuesday, July 16, five days after her death.
