- Lt. Governor to take charge as Abbott visits Taiwan, South Korea and Japan
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has come under fire for continuing his business trip to Asia as Hurricane Beryl batters his state.
On Monday morning, Hurricane Beryl made landfall as a Category 1 storm, dumping at least 10 inches of rain on Houston.
With winds of more than 90 mph, up to 2.7 million people in the greater Houston area were left without power and two people died.
But Abbott was nowhere to be seen as emergency services rushed to save lives.
He was completely dry seven thousand miles away, rubbing shoulders with Korean businessmen and dignitaries in Taiwan as part of a trip to boost Texas’s “relations” with Asia.
The governor of Texas is under fire for not canceling an economic tour to Asia as his state prepares for a hurricane
Beryl lashed Houston this week with 80 mph winds and torrential rains that left some motorists stranded.
“#AsianAbbott is following the example of #CancunCruz. And this trip is the LEAST productive use of OUR TAX DOLLARS for Texas,” tweeted @HKR30754663.
‘Asia Abbott’ is a comparison to the nickname given to US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas in 2021.
He famously fled the Lone Star State during the worst freeze in state history, which killed more than 700 people statewide.
Cruz was then called ‘Cancun Cruz’.
Unlike Cruz, Abbott was on a state mission abroad.
He left Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in charge as state preparations for Beryl began last week.
Abbott has already made stops in South Korea and Taiwan, and was also scheduled to visit Japan.
Abbott has been on a multi-day budget trip through Asia
As 2.7 million Texans were left without power due to massive flooding, many were wondering why Abbott had decided to continue on a business trip to Asia instead of staying in Austin to lead the emergency response to Beryl.
“Read the situation,” one social media user responded to Abbott’s posts about his travels.
Many in the Houston area were trapped at home without power on Monday.
“The power went out in Galveston in the middle of the night and I’m sure it won’t be on for days as we try to weather the storm in 90+ degree heat and 100% humidity, but I’m glad you’re having a great holiday,” @mollywwid tweeted.
Houston’s mayor said he, too, was suffering from a lack of power and air conditioning along with millions of others in 90-degree heat and stifling humidity.
“I have no power. We’re all living this together. We’re all in this together.”
At least two people have died as a result of the storm, authorities confirmed.
Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing of his trip.