Houston Residents Sleep in Cars Due to Power Outages Post-Beryl
TL/DR –
Houston residents are frustrated with local utility company CenterPoint Energy due to a lack of electricity after Hurricane Beryl hit the Gulf Coast of Texas. More than 800,000 customers were without power as of Friday afternoon, more than four days after the hurricane flooded streets and left more than two million people without working air conditioning in soaring temperatures. Despite public outrage, CenterPoint Energy said more than 80 percent of affected customers should have power by Sunday, but some areas with significant structural damage could experience prolonged outages.
Utility Company Faces Backlash as Houston Grapples with Power Outages After Hurricane Beryl
CenterPoint Energy, a Houston utility company, faces criticism for a delayed response to power outages after Hurricane Beryl landed on the Gulf Coast of Texas earlier this week. Over 800,000 customers remained without power until Friday afternoon, four days after the hurricane, leading to widespread discomfort in sweltering heat.
Local residents like Ruth Gonzalez and Guy Vasquez, who have been without air conditioning for days, question the utility company’s efforts and their compensation. Their frustration is shared by many Houstonians facing similar challenges.
The storm, which resulted in at least 11 deaths in the U.S., and nine in the Caribbean, has caused significant damage to the city’s power infrastructure. Yet, CenterPoint maintains they were prepared for the storm and have mobilized crews to restore power swiftly.
Despite areas with significant structural damage which may experience extended outages, CenterPoint promises power restoration to 80 percent of the affected customers by Sunday.
However, increased tension and incidents of violence towards utility workers have hampered restoration efforts. CEO Jason Wells urges the public to allow the crews to work in safe conditions.
Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott has called for an investigation into CenterPoint’s storm response, and the Public Utility Commission will determine any consequences.
Health Risks and Food Shortage Amid Power Outage
The power outage has led to health emergencies and food shortages as locals struggle to cope with the heat. Hospitals are relying on generators, and food queues are growing. Despite these hardships, some residents, like Rosa M. Zelaya and Ronald Thompson, are finding ways to endure the difficult conditions.
Life in the Dark: Houstonians Await Power Restoration
While life continues in some parts of Houston, the impact of the hurricane is enormous. People with financial resources have moved to hotels, while others are sleeping in cars or sweltering homes. The power outage has also affected vacationers like Martin Castro Munoc, who have been stranded due to the storm.
As residents like Robert Perez express their frustration at the slow pace of power restoration, others like Jessica Shaw are reluctantly adapting to the circumstances, braving safety hazards to find some relief from the heat.
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