As residents of southeast Texas enter the sixth consecutive day without power following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, many are grappling with extreme heat and a lack of essential resources. Over 760,000 customers in the region remain without electricity, while the storm’s aftermath has resulted in at least 10 fatalities in Texas, along with casualties reported in Vermont and Louisiana.
Infrastructure in crisis
The hurricane has left hospitals, assisted living facilities, and water treatment plants scrambling for resources, raising concerns about the preparedness of Houston’s primary utility provider, CenterPoint Energy. Pregnant resident Jordyn Rush expressed her distress, stating, “It’s been an absolute nightmare. I’m on the verge of like a mental breakdown.”
CenterPoint Energy has indicated plans to restore power to an additional 350,000 customers by Sunday. However, the company warns that many in the Houston area may remain without power until next week, as temperatures soar into the triple digits.
Political backlash and public health emergency
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has publicly criticized CenterPoint, stating, “We should not have roughly a million homes and businesses without power this far out.” He emphasized that vulnerable populations, particularly those in assisted living facilities, should have been prioritized for restoration efforts.
In light of the dangerous conditions, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for Texas. The combination of severe heat and power outages poses significant risks, particularly for those dependent on electricity for medical equipment.
Carbon monoxide poisoning concerns
As residents resort to generators for relief, incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning have surged. In Fort Bend County, over 41 cases have been reported, with at least two fatalities in Harris County. Local officials received more than 200 carbon monoxide poisoning calls within a single day.
Healthcare system overwhelmed
The strain on healthcare facilities has been severe, with over a dozen hospitals declaring internal disasters and more than 40 dialysis centers facing operational challenges. To alleviate the burden, city officials are arranging overflow beds in local sports arenas.
Food and water shortages
The outages have also led to significant food and water shortages. Many families are discarding spoiled food, while public services scramble to distribute essentials. With 135 wastewater treatment plants offline, drinking water access has become increasingly scarce.
Government response
In response to the crisis, FEMA has granted financial assistance to Harris County and 14 other affected areas, addressing the urgent need for recovery following the hurricane’s destruction. Galveston officials are utilizing transit buses to provide air-conditioned respite for residents, while Fort Bend County offers oxygen refills and transportation to cooling centers. The current situation highlights vulnerabilities in Texas’s power infrastructure, drawing parallels to the devastating outages experienced during the winter freeze of 2021.
Call for investigations
In the aftermath, Governor Greg Abbott has called for investigations into CenterPoint Energy and other utilities regarding their preparedness. Patrick echoed this sentiment, stating, “People are suffering through terribly oppressive heat, a lack of food and gasoline availability, and much more.” CenterPoint Energy has acknowledged the frustrations and highlighted its proactive measures, including deploying additional crews in anticipation of the storm’s impact. As the community grapples with these ongoing challenges, the need for sustainable solutions and improved infrastructure remains critical.