“‘This Storm Has Broken People’: After Beryl, Some Consider Leaving” Article Reflection No. 104 (7/16/2024)

Article: “‘This Storm Has Broken People’: After Beryl, Some Consider Leaving”

Reflection:

The New York Times article “‘This Storm Has Broken People’: After Beryl, Some Consider Leaving” shows how the power outages that follow natural disasters can be push factors for internal migration. Journalist J. David Goodman explains how Texans face the difficult decision of whether they should move or not—a choice that is complex with financial as well as climate-related considerations. With the Category 1 Hurricane Beryl and preceding thunderstorm(s) from the spring, the power infrastructure has been especially hard-hit, Goodman suggests. CenterPoint Energy is the local power supplier but as of the past week, over 2,200,000 people did not have access to the energy, the article states. Goodman states that this is an example of “climate migration,” which can stem from natural disasters. 

I wonder how one can mentally change before versus after a days-long blackout. After being used to having convenient access to power, its sudden absence seems to be a distant prospect, but I know it can be imminent any moment. If I don't have water running in the bathrooms, what exactly will we do? If the fridge does not work, how will we keep food fresh over the course of several days? How should we address all this?