HOUSTON — For the Houstonians who have now spent five days without power, things are starting to weigh on them physically and mentally.
They're hoping to get some assistance soon.
Residents in a northeast-side neighborhood are among those still dealing with the problems created by Beryl.
"Trying to survive," Preston McGowen said.
On Friday, McGowen sat in a lawn chair next to a cooler in front of the place he's called home for 50 years.
A tree toppled over during the hurricane, but that's not the only thing he's dealing with.
"Nobody should have to live like this," he said.
Living without power is dangerous in the Houston summer heat.
"You keep thinking they're coming on ... no light. So you gotta do the best you can -- try to stay cool and try to keep you some water," he said.
He's not alone. A few blocks away, Marcia Phillips is dealing with issues of her own.
"That's the room the tree fell in," she said. "It's just sad. It has you all frustrated. It's just a mess."
Phillips is overwhelmed by the widespread destruction.
"Ain't no way in the world I can fix all of this," she said while surveying the debris.
A tree came crashing through her and her husband's bedroom, but thankfully, they were in another room when it happened.
"It's a disaster," she said.
All they can do is take it one day at a time.
"We're waiting to see, can we get help?" she said.
McGowen echoes her cry for help.
"I can't do nothing 'til they get that tree cut down -- put a tarp on and then I got to wait on my insurance. It's a wait-and-see game," he said.
It's a game that no one in Houston wanted to play.