Texas Residents Still Without Power One Week After Hurricane Beryl Hits

Hundreds of thousands of residents in southeastern Texas continue to grapple with power outages a week after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, with approximately 288,000 energy customers still without electricity as of Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. The prolonged power cuts have left many individuals without air conditioning amid a relentless heat wave, as temperatures soar to a high of 93 degrees. Furthermore, a staggering 119 million people are currently under extreme heat warnings, with the National Weather Service projecting temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.

CenterPoint Energy, the primary electricity provider in the Greater Houston area, has managed to reconnect nearly 90% of the affected customers, amounting to around 2 million people, following extensive damage to power lines and properties caused by the hurricane. In response to the crisis, Governor Greg Abbott has demanded that the company present a detailed plan for enhancing its hurricane preparedness by the end of July. Emphasizing the critical nature of the situation, Abbott underscored the necessity of preserving life as the state's foremost priority and highlighted the life-threatening implications of the power outages.

Government Action and Investigation

Governor Abbott has set a deadline of July 31 for CenterPoint Energy to submit specific measures aimed at addressing power outages and minimizing the likelihood of future service disruptions during severe weather events, including strategies for vegetation management to prevent interference with power lines. Failure to comply with these directives may prompt an executive order to ensure continuous power supply. Additionally, Abbott has instructed the Public Utility Commission of Texas to initiate an inquiry into the delayed restoration of power in households, deeming the situation concerning and warranting immediate investigation.

Government Assistance and Losses

Governor Abbott has expanded the FEMA individual assistance program to include 17 counties, enabling individuals whose homes or businesses have suffered damage to seek financial aid. The impact of Hurricane Beryl in Harris County, encompassing Houston, has been particularly devastating, with reports indicating the direct loss of eight lives. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has confirmed these fatalities as a result of the destructive hurricane.