When will power be restored in Houston? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind after Hurricane Beryl knocked out power for over 3 million customers.
The Latest from CenterPoint Energy
In a Monday night update, CenterPoint Energy said that customers in the hardest-hit areas might face extended outages. If you’re affected, it’s crucial to plan accordingly. By 9:30 p.m., more than 1.8 million CenterPoint customers were still without power.
CenterPoint hopes to restore power to 1 million customers by the end of Wednesday. However, the widespread damage means that for many, it will be a multi-day outage.
Damage and Repairs
Crews are currently assessing the damage and starting repairs where possible. Unfortunately, thousands of out-of-town crews weren’t pre-staged in Houston ahead of Hurricane Beryl, which is slowing the recovery process.
At least 10 transmission lines are down, according to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
CenterPoint’s Strategy for Restoration
CenterPoint is focusing first on assessing the damage and rerouting power where lines are unaffected. With about 11,500 power workers mobilized, including 10,000 from other utilities, the restoration efforts are in full swing. CenterPoint plans to increase its staging sites across the area to 12.
“We are mobilizing all of our available resources, as well as mutual assistance resources from other utility companies, to begin the process of quickly and safely restoring power to our customers,” said Lynnae Wilson from CenterPoint in a 4 p.m. update. “We understand how difficult it is to be without power for any amount of time, especially in the heat.”
What to Expect Next
Once damage assessment is completed, CenterPoint will start publishing estimates for substantial restoration. They’re also considering deploying mobile generation units to provide temporary power to critical facilities like cooling centers, healthcare facilities, and senior centers.
For real-time updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter and follow CenterPoint on social media. Customers are encouraged to sign up for Power Alert Service® for outage details and community-specific updates.
Other Power Companies Affected
- Entergy Texas: Approximately 247,000 customers are without power, mainly in Montgomery, Jefferson, Walker, and Liberty counties.
- Texas New Mexico Power: Over 105,000 customers without power as of Monday night.
For more information and safety tips, especially if you’re using a generator, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter.
Keeping Your Food Safe
If you lose power for an extended period, remember that refrigerated food can spoil. Here’s a handy guide from the CDC on how long food lasts without power.
For more updates on Houston’s power situation, check out these related articles:
- CenterPoint Energy Update
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Update on Transmission Lines
- Neighbors’ Massive Cookout to Save Food
Photo credit: hdnux
