Power Outage Continues for Thousands after Deadly Houston Storms
TL/DR –
Severe storms in the Houston area have caused considerable damage, with winds up to 100 mph and a tornado damaging multiple skyscrapers, causing power outages and a sewage spill. At least seven people have been killed in the weather incidents, including those hit by fallen trees and a crane accident. With over 366,000 customers in Harris County still without power, officials are warning that the restoration process will be lengthy, and more severe weather is expected throughout the Southeast and Gulf Coast over the weekend.
Storms Devastate Houston: Assessment of Damage Underway
In the aftermath of destructive Houston storms, officials have started assessing the damage. These storms resulted in seven fatalities and power outages as temperatures soared. The threat of severe weather and excessive rainfall persists for residents in the Southeast and Gulf Coast until Saturday.
Winds reaching 100 mph, a tornado, and a storm complex wreaked havoc in Houston on Thursday. The destruction included damaged skyscrapers, a sewage spill, and power outages that could last for weeks due to the intense heat.
Four people died due to the storm, with casualties including two individuals killed by falling trees and another in a crane accident, according to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña.
Houston experienced three more storm-related deaths on Friday. One man died while attempting to shift a fallen electrical pole, and a woman lost her life when her trailer was struck by lightning, causing a fire. Another individual was found unresponsive after losing power and heading to his truck to connect his oxygen tank.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed his condolences for the families affected by this severe weather event. As the temperatures rise into the 90s, the lack of air conditioning due to power outages could further escalate the situation.
According to PowerOutage.us, over 366,000 Harris County customers were without power on Saturday evening, down from a peak of 900,000. Restoration of power will be a prolonged process, warn authorities.
CenterPoint Energy, the main electrical provider in the area, reported extensive damages to their distribution and transmission electric systems. They are deploying thousands of workers to assist in restoration.
Over 376,000 CenterPoint Energy customers were affected by the power outage, but power was restored to over 259,000 customers within 24 hours, as reported on their website. Restoration efforts are expected to be substantially complete by Wednesday for customers available to receive service.
Along with high winds and power outages, the rainfall led to the spillage of over 100,000 gallons of sanitary sewage. Houston Public Works confirmed that the city’s drinking water remains safe despite the spillage at three different city locations.
With rising temperatures, the City of Houston opened cooling centers for residents. The National Weather Service warns of the importance of staying cool as the city’s weather shifts into a hot and dry pattern from Saturday.
The severe line of storms that moved through Texas and Louisiana on Thursday was classified as a derecho by the weather service. This potentially destructive weather event is known for widespread wind damage associated with a long-lived line of thunderstorms.
Flash Floods and Damaging Wind Gusts Could Continue Saturday
The National Weather Service warns of excessive rainfall and persistent severe thunderstorm threats across parts of the Southeast until Saturday. The developing thunderstorms could cause more flash flooding and damaging wind gusts, particularly in the Southeast, northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Carolinas.
Damaging wind gusts and occasionally severe hail, along with a possible tornado or two, could be encountered in the Southeast and Carolinas on Saturday, and in parts of the Upper Midwest, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
On Sunday, thunderstorms are expected to form over the central High Plains and spread east in the evening. Nebraska and Kansas have the greatest chances for severe weather. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms for these areas.
As the weekend concludes, thunderstorm chances will reduce for most of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, as reported by the weather service.
—
Read More US News