 LIVE FROM NPR NEWS IN BOSTON, I'M STEVE BROWN. HURRICANE BERRELL HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM AFTER SWEEPING INTO TEXAS AS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE WITH HEAVY RAINS AND POWERFUL WINDS. BERRELL KNOCKED OUT POWER TO AT LEAST ONE AND A HALF MILLION HOMES AND BUSINESSES AS FAST RISING WATERS CAUSED STREET FLOODING AND PROMPTED RESCUES. MORE THAN A THOUSAND FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED AT HOUSTON'S TWO AIRPORTS BECAUSE OF THE STORM.