Severe weather in the Houston area has resulted in a total of eight deaths, with the latest being caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The Houston Fire Department has responded to around 80 carbon monoxide incidents since the storms hit, warning people to use power generators safely as they can be deadly. The storms, which brought 100 mph winds, caused widespread damage, downing trees and power lines, and smashing windows in downtown Houston. Five deaths have occurred in Houston, with an additional three in unincorporated Harris County where Houston sits.
Harris County Precinct 4, on the western side of the county, was hit particularly hard by the storm, with hundreds of workers working to clear debris from roads. Commissioner Lesley Briones stated that it will take many more days to fully recover from the storm. A distribution center has been opened as a cooling center once power is restored to provide relief from the hot and humid weather in the area. Temperatures are forecasted to be near or above 90 degrees, prompting concerns for residents without power.
Despite some improvement in power outages, CenterPoint Energy reported that over 192,000 customers were still without power. The city of Houston has opened cooling centers for residents and urged those in need of transportation to call 311 for assistance. Ice and water distribution centers have also been set up to aid those affected by the extended outages. With heat index values expected to exceed 100 degrees throughout the week, residents are advised to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
The Houston Fire Chief, Samuel Peña, took to social media to warn the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide following storms, referring to it as a silent killer. He mentioned a concerning incident in which four children were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide emitted by a generator. The fire department has been actively responding to carbon monoxide incidents since Thursday’s storms hit, emphasizing the importance of using power generators safely during such extreme weather events.
The extent of the damage caused by the severe weather and subsequent power outages has made recovery efforts challenging for authorities. Precinct Commissioner Briones highlighted the ongoing cleanup efforts and expressed that it will take considerable time to fully address the aftermath of the storm. With temperatures remaining high and a significant number of residents still without power, the situation in the Houston area continues to be precarious as officials work to restore normalcy and provide necessary resources to those affected.
Multiple deaths, widespread damage, and extensive power outages have made the aftermath of the severe weather in the Houston area a challenging situation. Efforts to clear debris, restore power, and provide relief to residents have been ongoing, with concerns about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the hot weather prevailing. As recovery efforts continue, authorities are working to address the immediate needs of the community and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents impacted by the storm.
