Residents in the Houston area affected by deadly storms last week that left at least seven dead were finally receiving some good news as officials announced that power was expected to be restored by Sunday evening to the majority of the hundreds of thousands still in the dark. The storms caused widespread destruction, with thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds tearing through the city, uprooting trees, shattering glass, and reducing buildings to debris. A tornado also touched down near the northwest Houston suburb of Cypress, leaving more than 352,000 homes and businesses without electricity, mostly in the Houston area.
Residents without power sought relief from the heat at cooling centers like a community center in the Cloverleaf neighborhood, where Carolina Sierra and her son took shelter from the stifling temperatures. Sierra, who had been without power since the storm hit Thursday, expressed desperation due to the lack of sleep caused by the heat. Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia was present at the center, assisting residents and offering words of encouragement as they awaited the restoration of power. Federal assistance from FEMA and loans from the Small Business Administration were on the way to help those affected by the storms, including funding for temporary housing and repairs.
Despite the challenges, there was progress in the restoration efforts, with CenterPoint Energy anticipating that 80% of affected customers in the Houston area would have service restored by Sunday evening and 90% by Wednesday. However, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo warned residents that if their home equipment was damaged, they would not receive power until repairs were made. In Louisiana, where strong winds and a suspected tornado also caused power outages, more than 4,600 customers remained without power. CenterPoint Energy had deployed thousands of workers to restore power in Houston, understanding the importance of electricity and air conditioning in the sweltering temperatures.
Residents were overjoyed as lights and air conditioning were restored at the senior housing Houston Heights Tower, which had been running on emergency power since the storm hit. Volunteers and city workers had been providing essentials to residents, showcasing the community’s support during difficult times. The National Weather Service forecasted hot and humid days ahead in the Houston area, with temperatures reaching around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and heat indexes near 102 degrees by midweek. Houston area school districts had canceled classes for over 400,000 students on Friday, but many schools were set to reopen with restored power. The Houston Independent School District reported that power had been reinstated at nearly 200 campuses, while 77 campuses remained without power.
As the cleanup and recovery efforts continued in the aftermath of the storms, residents in the Houston area were grateful for the assistance and progress in restoring power and services. The resilience and unity of the community were evident as people came together to support each other during this challenging time. Despite the disruptions and hardships caused by the severe weather, there was a sense of hope and determination among residents to rebuild and move forward. With federal aid and local support, those affected by the storms were receiving the help they needed to recover and rebuild their lives. The efforts of utility workers, volunteers, and officials were crucial in ensuring the well-being and safety of the residents as they navigated the aftermath of the devastating storms.
