Millions of people living in southeastern Texas endured extreme heat without air conditioning on Tuesday, all due to a fatal tropical storm named Barry that caused widespread power outages.
The scorching temperatures also affected much of the western United States and Canada, increasing the risk of wildfires.
According to Poweroutage.us, approximately 2 million Texas homes and businesses were without power by midday on Tuesday, with temperatures already exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), the National Weather Service reported.
"After Barry, most of southeastern Texas is without power. Lack of air conditioning can lead to dangerous situations," the National Weather Service stated.
Tropical Storm Barry swept through Texas on Monday, flooding highways, damaging homes, and destroying power lines. According to the Houston Chronicle, seven people have died in Texas as a result of the storm, including two people killed by falling trees. Barry had already caused 11 deaths in the Caribbean before reaching Texas.
On Tuesday, the storm weakened to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved through the Midwest. Although its intensity decreased, it still posed risks of flash floods and tornadoes, which the National Weather Service said would persist through Wednesday.
