Hurricane Beryl disaster prompts nearly 200 price gouging complaints made to Harris County Attorney’s Office, officials say [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Power isn’t the only concern for some local leaders. They’re also worried about businesses taking advantage of the Hurricane Beryl disaster.

If you’re shopping right now, officials want you to keep an eye on how much you’re paying.

“We’re talking food, gasoline, water, lodging, and (if) you notice prices are substantially higher than they have been in the past, you should absolutely report that to the county attorney’s office,” Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said.

The Houston area is under a disaster declaration a week after Hurricane Beryl came through. Because of this, businesses aren’t allowed to take advantage of the situation.

If they do, they face penalties. Menefee said that his office has received more than 180 price-gouging complaints so far.

RELATED: ‘Nested outages,’ a post-derecho issue, haunts Houston again as Beryl-outages persist a week later

“I know there are even more folks out there who have seen it but …