HOUSTON – The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has confirmed that two more deaths are linked to Hurricane Beryl, raising the storm’s death toll to 20 in Harris County.
The Category 1 hurricane resulted in eight fatalities due to power outages during and after the storm.
Pamela Jarrett, an artist, was among those who died in the days following Hurricane Beryl. Her sister, Janet Jarrett, shared Pamela’s story in an interview with KPRC 2′s Rilwan Balogun.
Janet described Pamela as a dedicated artist who spent much of her time creating graphic designs. However, Pamela’s health had been fragile since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2019 after an assault, which was followed by a stroke that left her in need of constant care.
On the day of her death, Pamela began gasping for air. Janet tried to get help, but due to the power outage, she couldn’t get cell reception. She ran out into the streets, desperately seeking assistance. A neighbor eventually called 911, and an ambulance arrived, but Pamela couldn’t be saved.
“I was telling her I loved her, and then I’m going to be there for her,” Jarrett said. “Now I’m right behind [the ambulance.] Hold on. Don’t, don’t stop breathing, Pam. Don’t stop breathing. I kept telling her, I told her. Hold on.”
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences says Pamela Jarrett died accidentally July 11, 2024, at HCA Houston Healthcare due to hyperthermia. Her death was caused by environmental heat exposure due to the prolonged power outage during and after the storm, according to the Institute of Forensic Sciences.
“It was unbearable. Nobody should go through that,” Janet Jarrett said, recalling the ordeal.
The Public Utilities Commission, which oversees utility companies like CenterPoint, held a meeting Thursday to discuss the ongoing issues. The commission announced it would release its investigation into the aftermath of the storm on Sept. 12.
“Today in Austin, the Public Utilities Commission who oversees CenterPoint is talking about Hurricane Beryl and what went wrong. What would you like that board to do,” Balogun asked Jarrett.
“They need to get to work,” she said. “They need to examine the people at CenterPoint and what they’re doing.”
CENTERPOINT STATEMENT
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pamela Jarrett. Due to customer confidentiality and privacy, we are unable to provide information regarding critical care residential customers.”