Frustration mounts into threats for Texas power crews as 1 million still in dark after Beryl
Despite the power numbers improving, the heat and humidity remain high on Friday as a Heat Advisory is in effect in Houston, where it will feel like triple-digit temperatures.
Texas heat is on with over 1 million still without power following Beryl
FOX 26 Houston reporter Shelby Rose provides an update on the power outages in the Lone Star State.
HOUSTON – Menifee Lucy sits on her front porch for air in her Kashmere Gardens neighborhood in Houston, enduring the sweltering heat that feels like triple digits.
Her home lost power as Hurricane Beryl blew through Texas on Monday. She can't cook and is hungry.
"I've lost all my foods but these noodles; all of my meat spoiled," she cries. "No power for four days now, I don't know what to do ... I can't cook, all I have are these noodles."
Menifee Lucy sits on her front porch for air in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood on July 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
Lucy was among the 875,000 residents in the Houston metropolitan area still without power Friday morning in the aftermath of Beryl's destruction and now facing the looming dangers of intense heat and humidity.
"I threw everything out, ain't nothing in here … everything spoiled," echoed neighbor Lily Reeds, showing her empty refrigerator in her apartment.
Lily Reeds shows her empty refrigerator in her apartment in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood on July 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
As frustrations mount, Texas power company crews are now facing threats while working to restore electricity to nearly a million people in the state who have been without air conditioning for nearly a week.
Despite the power numbers improving, the heat and humidity remain high on Friday as a Heat Advisory is in effect in Houston.
"Safety is our number one priority," said CenterPoint Energy, which says it has so far successfully restored power to more than 1.2 million customers. "We have received numerous reports of threats being made to our employees and crews. We understand how difficult and frustrating it is for our customers to be without power, particularly in this summer heat."
Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan stressed to residents that CenterPoint Energy called people outside the state to come in to help with the emergency.
"We will not tolerate them being abused, let alone having a gun pulled on them," he urged.
A linesman repairs a stoplight in Houston, Texas on July 11, 2024.
(MARK FELIX/AFP / Getty Images)
The utility company has reported that its 12,000-strong restoration workforce is laboring day and night in 16-hour shifts to safely and swiftly reinstate power. It is anticipated that 80% of affected customers will have their power restored by the end of Sunday.
Amid residents' increasing concerns, teams are working to reconstruct the power system in the most severely affected areas, such as Brazoria County, Fort Bend County and along the I-45 corridor extending into the Woodlands. These locations have experienced notable structural damage.
Gary Rawls looks at his near-empty refrigerator while speaking about his situation from his apartment in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood on July 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
(Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
Estimated losses are between $2.5 and $3.5 billion in Texas due to wind damage to properties, including damage to contents and business interruption, according to CoreLogic.
CenterPoint Energy said customers could experience prolonged outages and are in the process of providing estimated restoration dates for everyone who still doesn't have power, something that is expected to be done by Friday. However, the criticism from both local and state officials is still evident.
TEXAS SHELTERS SEEK HELP FOR HUNDREDS OF INJURED, ORPHANED ANIMALS DISPLACED AFTER BERYL
A pair of skeletons along with a sign that reads 'Waiting on CenterPoint' is seen on the front yard of Rex Mackall Jr.s home as his family and neighborhood still remain without power four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Spring.
(Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle / Getty Images)
"Everyone wants to get to your issues as quickly as possible. We're holding CenterPoint accountable," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. "I get a report every four hours. We tell them to do better, give us updates and what are you doing to double down and get additional resources through our community?"
Whitmire asks everyone to limit their driving at night because of safety issues in the dark.
A side-by-side comparison of the lights of Houston as seen from space on July 1, 2024, (left) and July 9, 2024 (right).
(Black Marble / NASA)
CenterPoint Energy requests its customers to keep their distance if they see their linemen and allow them to do their job to ensure a safe restoration.