Houston recently opened new distribution centers to provide water to thousands of customers who are still without power following severe storms that led to the deaths of seven people in the region. The storms, which included tornadoes and 100 mph straight-line winds, caused widespread damage and power outages. Downed power lines and fallen trees were a common sight in the aftermath of the storm, with over 350,000 customers in Harris County without power at one point.
CenterPoint Energy, the utility company with the majority of the outages, estimated that about 80% of its impacted customers would have power restored by Sunday evening. Meanwhile, three schools in Houston were damaged, with one experiencing a tree falling into a classroom, another having around 12 shattered windows, and a third having a wall collapse in a classroom. Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles stated that a decision regarding school reopening on Monday would depend on the electricity situation, with approximately 90 schools currently without power.
Residents affected by the recent storms in Houston and flooding in previous weeks were informed that they could apply for federal aid in the form of loans to individuals and small businesses. The warm weather in Houston, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s to low 90s, raised concerns about heat safety for those without power. The National Weather Service urged residents to stay hydrated, take frequent breaks if working outside, and practice heat safety measures.
The storms in Houston resulted in seven deaths, including four in Houston and three in unincorporated Harris County. Falling trees and a fire sparked by lightning were some of the factors contributing to the fatalities. Significant damage was reported, with three schools in Houston sustaining damage from the storm. Houston and Harris County have been working to restore power to the affected areas and provide support to those in need of assistance.
The severe storms in Houston also impacted the broader region, with nearly 800,000 homes and businesses experiencing power outages at the peak of the storm. CenterPoint Energy’s senior vice president for the utility’s electric business acknowledged the challenging task ahead in repairing the damaged infrastructure. The utility company and local officials have been working tirelessly to address the outages and ensure power is restored to the affected areas.
Looking ahead, Harris County Judge Linda Hidalgo announced that residents affected by the recent storms and floods could apply for federal aid through loans to individuals and small businesses. The National Weather Service advised residents to practice heat safety measures due to the warm weather, and also warned of storms and severe weather in other parts of the country. The community in Houston and Harris County continues to recover from the impact of the severe storms, with efforts focused on restoring power, providing assistance to those in need, and ensuring the safety of residents in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
