Walter Perez : “Houston Heatwave: 1.7M Without Power After Beryl”

HOUSTON (AP) — The return of scorching heat in the Houston area has compounded the suffering for residents still without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on Texas. The soaring temperatures have left many in search of places to cool off and refuel as the prolonged outages continue to strain one of the nation’s largest cities.

As of Tuesday night, more than 1.7 million homes and businesses remained without electricity, a slight decrease from the peak of over 2.7 million reported on Monday, according to data from PowerOutage.us. With frustrations mounting, state officials are facing scrutiny over the adequacy of preparations made by the power utility company responsible for much of the affected area.

Nearly 36 hours after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced that a sports and event complex would be utilized as a temporary facility to accommodate up to 250 hospital patients awaiting discharge but unable to return to homes without power.

The situation has forced residents to adapt as best they can to the challenging conditions. Walter Perez, who sought refuge at celebrity pastor Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston, described the difficulties faced by his family, including his wife, 3-year-old son, 3-week-old daughter, and father-in-law, as they evacuated their apartment following a harrowing night without power.

CenterPoint Energy, the utility company serving much of the Houston area, defended its preparation and response to the crisis. Brad Tutunjian, vice president of regulatory policy, commended the efforts of the utility’s crews in swiftly mobilising resources to restore power amidst the challenging conditions.

The return of high temperatures in the Houston area, with temperatures climbing back into the 90s (above 32.2 Celsius) on Tuesday, coupled with oppressive humidity, has created a sweltering environment for residents already grappling with power outages. The National Weather Service has warned that the lack of cooling facilities and air conditioning could pose a significant risk to public health.

Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall as a Category 1 storm early Monday, has been attributed to at least seven deaths in the U.S. — one in Louisiana and six in Texas — in addition to causing casualties in the Caribbean. Nim Kidd, head of the state’s division of emergency management, has reiterated that restoring power remains the top priority in the ongoing relief efforts.

Acting Governor Dan Patrick highlighted the critical importance of prioritising nursing homes and assisted living facilities for power restoration. FEMA reported that sixteen hospitals were operating on generator power as of Tuesday morning, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

For many residents in the Houston area, the current crisis mirrors the challenges faced during severe storms in May, which claimed lives and left hundreds of thousands without power amid widespread flooding. With memories of the previous disaster still fresh, locals are grappling with the added burden of prolonged power outages in the stifling heat.

Patrons in the city lined up at fast-food establishments such as KFC, Jack in the Box, and Denny’s on Tuesday, seeking respite and sustenance amid the ongoing crisis. Dwight Yell, who accompanied a neighbour without power to Denny’s for a meal, expressed frustration over the lack of timely warnings from officials regarding the severity of the storm.

Robin Taylor, who has been temporarily residing in a hotel since her home was damaged in the May storms, recounted the challenges of enduring Hurricane Beryl without power. With no electricity, limited resources, and soaring temperatures, Taylor voiced concerns about the potential health risks faced by vulnerable individuals in the community.

Kyuta Allen sought refuge with her family at a local community centre to escape the sweltering heat and access essential services. Reflecting on the conditions, she highlighted the stark contrast between daytime temperatures and the oppressive heat experienced at night, underscoring the urgent need for relief and support in the affected areas.