HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Thousands of Houston-area residents are still without power after severe storms with heavy winds rolled through on Tuesday.
An ABC13 Weather Alert Day was in effect on Tuesday amid a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for southeast Texas.
Winds reached up to 80 mph, knocking down trees and sparking more power outages. The storm also led to a lot of street flooding across the city.
According to CenterPoint Energy’s outage tracker, at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, more than 16,000 customers were still without power.
The energy company counted 2,050 active outages and 296,657 customers whose power was restored in the last 24 hours.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said 1,800 utility crews were making their way back to the Houston area after helping restore power outages from the May 16 derecho.
She is urging anyone with storm damage to apply for aid from FEMA, and if you already applied after the last storm, update your application if you suffered more damage.
CenterPoint Energy issued the following statement after the storm on Tuesday:
“CenterPoint Energy is currently assessing damage to its infrastructure following this afternoon’s severe thunderstorm that caused flooding and wind gusts of up to 75 mph – consistent with Category 1 hurricane winds – across the Houston area. Crews have begun efforts to restore power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible.
Damage from the severe weather resulted in electric service interruptions peaking at approximately 325,000 customers. As of 8 p.m. CT, approximately 105,000 customers are without power. As damage assessments are completed and restoration continues, CenterPoint will provide additional updates.
CenterPoint recognizes that the Houston area is still recovering from the May 16 severe weather event, and some who were without power due to that storm might be out again because of today’s weather. In addition to CenterPoint resources that have already been deployed, additional lineworkers and vegetation management professionals have been requested for mutual assistance support.
Those customers who depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment (such as chronic condition or critical care customers) are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place as CenterPoint cannot ensure an uninterrupted power supply. If electricity is a necessity, customers should make alternate arrangements for on-site back-up capabilities or other alternatives in the event of loss of electric service.
In addition to damaging CenterPoint’s electric infrastructure and equipment, severe weather may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment. Customers should check their Weatherhead, the point where power enters the home through an electric service drop, which is often a pipe located on the side of the residence or building. If the equipment is damaged, customers will need to contact a qualified electrician to make repairs before the company is able to restore service to them.
CenterPoint urges customers to always stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and damaged electric utility equipment. Treat all down and damaged equipment as energized and report them to the company at 713-207-2222.
During the May 16 storm, CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker online map experienced technical challenges which limited the performance for customers. Until the tool is restored, customers are encouraged to utilize Power Alert Service for outage information.”
Anyone can visit a city library, community center, or multi-service center during normal business hours to find relief from the heat, charge their devices, and rest. The schedules for these facilities can be found at the following links:
- Houston Public Library
- Houston Parks & Recreation Department Community Centers
- Houston Health Department Multi-Service Centers
There are also still Disaster Recovery Centers open for anyone needing assistance after the recent derecho that caused widespread damage. The locations are:
- Spring Branch Family Development Center – 8575 Pitner Rd.
- Fonde Recreation Community Center – 110 Sabine St.
- Thomas A. Glazier Senior Education Center – 16600 Pine Forest Ln.
- Leon Z Grayson Community Center – 13828 Corpus Christi St.
Mayor defends remarks about undocumented Gulfton residents, calling criticism ‘misrepresentation’
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston Mayor John Whitmire faced criticism on Wednesday for commenting on Gulfton residents while discussing public transportation in the area with the nonprofit newsroom Houston Public Landing.
Gulfton, often referred to as present-day Ellis Island, is just 3.5 square miles where more than 50 languages are spoken, and more than 40% of residents are below the poverty line.
“I was disheartened by some comments that were made,” District J Houston City Council Member Edward Pollard told Whitmire.
Pollard, who represents both Gulfton and the Galleria, read Whitmire’s remarks aloud during Wednesday’s council meeting as they were printed in the Houston Public Landing.
“They’re largely undocumented immigrants. They just want basic services. They don’t want to be part of the Galleria,” Whitmire said to the publication. “You think they’re going to be welcome in the Galleria?”
“You know, and I know that that was a wrong representation of my comments,” Whitmire told Pollard on Wednesday.
The mayor commented while talking to the Houston Public Landing about expanding bus service in the area.
He said residents told him they “need reliable METRO buses to get to the Baker Ripley Center.”
The nonprofit center offers everything from immigration to nutrition services.
However, the mayor said a rapid transit bus line to the Galleria was unnecessary, citing the above comments in his argument.
“I will match my record with immigrants with anyone. It’s a calling, I care, and if you want to use misrepresentations for your political purposes, have at it, but the public knows better,” Whitmire said, addressing Pollard.
In a statement, Whitmire told ABC13, “We spent a lot of time in Gulfton speaking to residents about whether they have a strong demand for shopping in the Galleria area. The response was overwhelmingly no. In fact, residents claim no one has asked them what their preferences are. We plan to change that practice. We are designing transit solutions for Gulfton that meet the community’s needs and not what special interest consultants think they want.”
“I’m working with the county commissioner to give basic service to the Gulfton area, so there’s a time to campaign, and there’s a time to go to work. You choose the campaign method, that’s fine. I want to go to work,” Whitmire told Pollard on Wednesday.
Pollard replied, “Work with me. I’m sitting here with you. You don’t have to go outside of the city.”
Whitmire said, “I’ve been out there all day Saturday.”
Pollard responded, “I was there before you.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with your schedule, and you’re not familiar with mine, but I’ve got a big city I’m serving,” Whitmire said. “Thank you. I shouldn’t even engage you, but I did want to clear up the misrepresentation.”
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This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.