Houston storm damage updates: More than 600,000 still without power

HOUSTON — A destructive and deadly storm moved through the Houston area on Thursday, knocking out power, damaging structures and scattering debris everywhere. At least four people were killed.

After the storm passed, the cleanup began, but there are some things Houston city officials want you to know to stay safe.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said that anyone who doesn’t have to get on the roads should stay at home. Only essential workers should be out and about.

• Power outrages: CenterPoint was dealing with massive power outages across the region. They told people to be prepared for extended periods of time without power.
• Call 311: If you notice debris on the road or other road hazards, call 311. Only call 911 for life-threatening situations.
• Stay away from power lines: Assume all lines are energized and stay 35 feet away, according to CenterPoint. Never spray a sparking or burning wire with water and never try to remove a tree limb or other item. If you see a downed power line, call CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222.
• School closings: Several districts and schools canceled classes for Friday, following Thursday’s storms. You can see the full list here.
• Report damage: The Texas Department of Insurance has steps to take to recover following the storm, including how to file a claim. They also have information on how to find reputable contractors.

At 4 p.m. Friday, more than 600,000 CenterPoint customers still didn’t have power. That’s down from nearly a million at the height of the storm. 

Crews are still assessing damage including several critical transmission towers that were severely damaged by winds up to 100 mph.

 “We’re mobilizing all of our available resources, as well as mutual assistance resources, from nearby utility companies, as we work to quickly and safely restore power,” CenterPoint said.

They have 2,000 employees and contractors deployed and have requested another 4,000 from other areas.

They warn it could be several days before power is restored in some places and possibly even weeks in the hardest hit areas. 

Harris Health said they will close or delay the opening several of its outpatient facilities on Friday. However, both of its hospitals—Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson—are operating as normal.

Full closure facilities are:

• Aldine
• Ambulatory Surgical Center at LBJ Campus
• Pediatric and Adolescent Center – CE Odom
• Cypress
• Danny Jackson
• Dental Center
• Gulfgate
• Margo Hilliard
• Northwest
• Nueva Casa
• Outpatient Center at LBJ Campus
• Settegast
• Sunset Heights

Delayed openings until noon:

• Acres Home
• Baytown
• Ben Taub Tower
• Casa de Amigos
• El Franco Lee
• LBJ Clinic Infusion Center, ENT, Oral Surgery, and Ophthalmology
• Martin Luther King
• Monroe
• Pediatric and Adolescent Center – Pasadena
• Sareen
• Smith (except Infusion Center and Radiation Therapy)
• Strawberry
• Squatty Lyons
• Thomas Street at Quentin Mease
• Vallbona

Other locations operating as normal are:

• Dialysis Center at Quentin Mease
• Endoscopy Center at Quentin Mease
• Smith Clinic: Infusion Therapy and Radiation Therapy

Patients with appointments to Harris Health facilities have been notified or are in the process of being notified about the effects of these closures and delayed openings

For more information on facility closures and operations, visit harrishealth.org.

The City of Houston’s Solid Waste department is suspending all services, including garbage, yard and tree waste Friday. They’re also suspending recycling for the day because of the storm.  If you need debris removal, call 311.

They sent out the following collection schedule.

Friday, May 17, 2024
NO COLLECTION SERVICES. All solid waste facilities and administrative offices will be closed except Neighborhood Depositories, which will operate normally. SWMD will be conducting city-wide damage assessments for storm debris collections.

Saturday, May 18, 2024
SWMD will collect Friday’s garbage routes. Recycling, yard, and tree waste will be collected on your next regularly scheduled collection day.

SWMD collection services will resume the regular schedule on Monday, May 20, 2024.

AT&T released the following statement after Thursday’s storms:

“Some of our customers in the Greater Houston area may be experiencing wireless and wireline service impacts, primarily due to power outages from recent severe weather. We are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service as our network teams have begun making their initial assessment of the impact. We understand how important it is to stay connected and continue to work until all service is restored.

“Additional: 
– Customers experiencing issues with their AT&T service can reach us at att.com, on the myAT&T app or over the phone. Customers looking to reach us via phone can contact us 24/7 at 800.288.2020 for Internet support. 
– Wireline customers can also visit att.com/outages to sign up for one-time service restoration text alerts for internet and TV.”

CenterPoint released a statement to customers following Thursday’s severe weather. As of 1:02 p.m. Friday, there were more than 672,010  customers without power and large outages in west Houston and Cypress. That was down from 737,000 at 5:40 a.m.

“There has been damage to several of our facilities in our Houston-area service territory. As the line of severe weather has made its way through our region, it is now safe for our crews to begin assessing damage but can confirm we’ve experienced significant damage to our system. Restoration efforts will begin tonight (Thursday evening) but will ramp up in daylight hours as damage becomes more visible. We are committed to restoring power to our customers as safely and as quickly as possible.

“When restoring power, we begin with facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities. While addressing key facilities, we follow our priority restoration process by making repairs to electrical facilities that will return power to the largest number of customers first. We then continue the restoration process by prioritizing repairs to benefit the greatest number of customers, until power is returned to everyone. Throughout the restoration process, we maintain contact with local emergency management agencies, news media and public officials.

“We’d like to remind our customers to stay at least 35 feet away from low-hanging, downed power lines or lines that could be in standing water and call 911 and report them to us at 713-207-2222.

According to a report from our reporter Katiera Winfrey, it looks like all of the stadium lights at Houston Independent School District have been knocked down. Some have fallen on the stands and on the fence

METRO Houston said all Park & Ride services are closed Friday along with the HOV lanes on the freeways. METRO manages all HOV lanes on all the freeways except for I-10.

Buses are running but also delayed.

The METRO Rail is limited with debris on the tracks. Some shuttles are running in place of the rail. People should not expect regular rail service today.

METRO HOV/HOT Express lanes will remain closed through morning and afternoon commutes, impacting the following roadways:

• I-45 North (North Freeway)
• I-45 South (Gulf Freeway)
• I-69 / U.S. Hwy. 59 North (Eastex Freeway)
• I-69 / U.S. Hwy. 59 South (Southwest Freeway)
• U.S. 290 West (Northwest Freeway)

Jury service is canceled for Friday due to the severe weather and the Harris County District Clerk’s Office is closed.

City of Houston courts will be closed Friday following Thursday’s storms

Due to widespread damage, the Houston Health Department reports that it will be closed on Friday.

The city, at Mayor Whitmire’s request, is asking downtown employers to allow employees to work from home Friday.