Power Outages in Texas Blamed for More Fatalities

The widespread power outages in southeastern Texas have turned deadly, putting residents on edge as the temperatures soar. Here is the latest on this developing situation and the aftermath of Beryl.

Over One Million Customers Still Without Power in Southeastern Texas

Hurricane Beryl has been long gone in Texas but its impacts are still being felt across Texas and beyond. Residents are becoming more frustrated as the region enters its fourth day of power outages. Over 1.3 million homes and businesses are still without power after Beryl came on shore along the Gulf Coast of Texas a Category 1 storm early Monday. At least 11 people lost their lives in Texas and Louisiana after the storm made landfall with more fatalities now being blamed on the power outages.

Local officials in Harris County confirmed that at least two people died due to carbon monoxide poisoning as people try to cool their hot homes with generators. The fire department in the greater metro Houston area said that they have fielded over 200 carbon monoxide poisoning calls in a period of just 24 hours.

Additionally, a 71-year-old woman passed away near Crystal Beach when her oxygen machine lost its battery life and the generator shut down. This tragedy serves as a good reminder to check on elderly neighbors and loved ones who may be more vulnerable to the impacts of the heat and lack of power.

Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña said that they are seeing a significant increase in heat-related emergencies as the mercury hovers in the 90s. The increase in the humidity levels is sending the real feel readings well into the triple digits, presenting a dangerous situation with so many residents still without power and air conditioning for their homes.

Several hospitals in the region are also nearing the point of overcrowding because patients cannot be released to homes that are still without power. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said that city officials in Houston are putting together overflow beds in indoor stadiums with power and air conditioning.

Nine Houston fire stations were forced to close for services because they did not have operational generators. In addition, animal rescue teams are working overtime in an effort to keep sensitive pets cool in the oppressive heat.

Beryl’s wrath sent over 2.2 million customers into the dark on Monday. According to utility company CenterPoint Energy, power had been restored to about 1.1 million customers by Wednesday night. The primary provider for the Houston metro area said that its goal was to restore power to an additional 400,000 homes and businesses by Friday and 350,000 more by the end of the weekend.