Houston, TX — As the sweltering summer heat continues to grip Houston and much of Texas, millions of residents are grappling with widespread power outages following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Frustration and concern are mounting as the region struggles to cope with the sweltering temperatures and the ongoing lack of electricity.
A Community Seeking Refuge
Many Houston residents have sought refuge in public spaces and cooling centers to escape the heat. Kyuta Allen, a Houston local who found respite at one of these centers, shared his experience with Houston Storm Report: “During the day you can have the doors open, but at night you’ve got to board up and lock up — lock yourself like into a sauna.”
The heat is particularly concerning for vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those in assisted living facilities. Ian Wu, who owns an assisted senior living facility in suburban Spring, Texas, expressed his concerns to Houston Storm Report, saying, “I try to be understanding because I know there’s a million other people feeling the same way. Right now, we’re trying to keep our generators up to power the essential stuff like for cooking and oxygen tanks.”
Power Outages Impact Millions
As of Wednesday evening, more than 1.5 million homes, businesses, and other utility customers in Texas remained without power, according to PowerOutage.us. CenterPoint Energy, the region’s largest power company, reported that most of the outages affected their customers. Michelle Hundley, a spokesperson for CenterPoint, told Houston Storm Report, “I know it’s hot out there and I know they’re frustrated and we’re doing our absolute best to get them restored as quickly as possible and as safely as possible.”
At the peak of the storm on Monday, over 2.7 million power outages were reported across Texas. The ongoing outages have left many residents searching for ways to stay cool and manage without electricity. Some have even circulated an app from the Whataburger fast food chain that indicates which restaurants are open, providing a gauge of where power has been restored.
Unrelenting Heat Adds to Challenges
While the temperatures are not unusually high for mid-July in Texas, the combination of summer heat and power outages has prompted a heat advisory from the National Weather Service. Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist at weather.com, noted, “Generally speaking, most inland locations will top out in the low-mid 90s, which is typical for mid-July. A few areas near the Gulf Coast may hold in the upper 80s. Early morning lows will only drop into the mid-upper 70s, especially near the Gulf Coast, not offering much nighttime relief.”
In Houston, the “feels like” temperatures are reaching triple digits, with some areas in eastern Texas experiencing temperatures as high as 106 degrees. The heat is making the power outages even more unbearable for residents trying to stay cool.
Ongoing Efforts to Restore Power
CenterPoint Energy crews have been working tirelessly to restore power. The company reported that they have walked approximately 4,500 miles of electric circuits on foot and used helicopter and drone surveillance to inspect damage across their service territory. Some of the hardest-hit areas include Baytown, Bellaire, Brazoria, Galveston, and South Houston.
In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, CenterPoint shared that crews had made progress overnight, but cautioned that restoration efforts could take several days. The company’s online outage tracking page advised residents to be prepared for extended outages.
The Aftermath of Beryl
Hurricane Beryl made landfall early Monday as a Category 1 hurricane about 80 miles southwest of Houston. The storm moved northeast, impacting communities along the coast and across the Houston metro area. At least seven deaths in Texas and one in Louisiana have been attributed to Beryl.
Post-storm conditions can often be more dangerous than the storm itself. In recent years, dozens of people have died during post-storm power outages due to causes such as overheating, medical conditions that rely on electricity, and carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. The elderly are particularly at risk; during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021, at least a dozen residents of nursing homes and senior apartments in Louisiana died.
Conclusion
As Houston continues to endure the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, residents and officials are working to manage the heat and restore power. The situation underscores the challenges that come with extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and community support in times of crisis.
