Power Outage in Houston, TX

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Power outage in Houston, Texas? Contact your local utility company.

CenterPoint Energy
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(800) 332-7143 Report Online
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Entergy Texas
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(800) 968-8243 Report Online
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Georgia Power
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(888) 891-0938 Report Online
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Diverse Power
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(800) 845-8362 Report Online
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Flint Energies
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(888) 354-6836 Report Online
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Houston Power Outages Caused by Weather

Events

January 24, 2023 - Tornado

This EF3 tornado touched down near El Franco Lee Park east of Brookside Village. A near-continuous path of damage extended east northeast, then northeast from there, across portions of Southeast Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park and Baytown. Most of the|damage was rated EF0 and EF1 with damage to trees, fences and minor roof damage, but there were some spots with more severe damage, rated EF2. These included the Beamer apartments in Southeast Houston, a few homes in Pasadena, a church in Deer Park near Center Street and East P Street, and a single family home with roof and some walls removed near the intersection of East X Street and Luella. From an aerial survey, there were three high tension electrical towers flattened northeast of Deer Park near the Houston Ship Channel with EF3 damage. From there, the damage path entered Baytown, north of the Ship Channel. In Baytown there was a mobile home and a single family home destroyed along Weaver Street near Bayway. Damage became more spotty and less intense northeast from there with spotty damage as far north as TX 330 Spur. Aerial surveys indicated some minor roof damage to the Exxon building south of West Baker Street. Damage continued up to Interstate 10 where down power lines were observed. No damage was indicated north of Interstate 10.

East Haven - Baytown Humphrey Arp
January 24, 2023 - Tornado

This EF3 tornado touched down near El Franco Lee Park east of Brookside Village. A near-continuous path of damage extended east northeast, then northeast from there, across portions of Southeast Houston, Pasadena, Deer Park and Baytown. Most of the|damage was rated EF0 and EF1 with damage to trees, fences and minor roof damage, but there were some spots with more severe damage, rated EF2. These included the Beamer apartments in Southeast Houston, a few homes in Pasadena, a church in Deer Park near Center Street and East P Street, and a single family home with roof and some walls removed near the intersection of East X Street and Luella. From an aerial survey, there were three high tension electrical towers flattened northeast of Deer Park near the Houston Ship Channel with EF3 damage. From there, the damage path entered Baytown, north of the Ship Channel. In Baytown there was a mobile home and a single family home destroyed along Weaver Street near Bayway. Damage became more spotty and less intense northeast from there with spotty damage as far north as TX 330 Spur. Aerial surveys indicated some minor roof damage to the Exxon building south of West Baker Street. Damage continued up to Interstate 10 where down power lines were observed. No damage was indicated north of Interstate 10.

East Haven - Baytown Humphrey Arp
August 10, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

Power lines were downed onto two vehicles on the Beaumont Highway bridge over the San Jacinto River.

Magnolia Gardens - Magnolia Gardens
April 3, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

Power poles were downed near Schneider Middle School.

Dumont - Dumont
March 29, 2018 - Thunderstorm Wind

A power line was downed.

Garden Villas - Garden Villas

Episodes

January 22, 2017

Strong northwest winds behind a cold frontal passage produced mainly power line damage and downed some trees. The most damage occurred in the Harris County area.

March 3, 2014

An upper level disturbance moved across the area and generated light to moderate precipitation within a near freezing air mass. There was an accumulation of ice from freezing rain that formed upon numerous vehicles, trees, power lines, and roadways. As a result, there were downed tree limbs and power lines that caused regional power outages.

September 23, 2005

The eye of Hurricane Rita moved ashore in extreme southwest Louisiana between Sabine Pass and Johnson's Bayou In Cameron Parish with a minimum central pressure of 937 mb and maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Rita was a Category 3 hurricane at landfall.Two and a half weeks after Hurricane Katrina made her final and devastating landfall along the northern Gulf coast, all eyes turned to Tropical Storm Rita as she moved westward through the central Bahamas. On Tuesday, September 20th, Rita rapidly intensified while moving west through the Florida Straits into the Gulf of Mexico. Rita reached Category 2 intensity as the center passed about 50 miles south of Key West and significantly impacted the Florida Keys. After entering the Gulf of Mexico, Rita intensified at an astounding rate going from Category 2 to Category 5 intensity in 24 hours. Following this rapid intensification period, sustained winds reached 165 mph on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 21st. Since early Monday, Rita had been consistently forecast to make landfall along the upper southeast Texas coast, when the 120 hour forecast from the National Hurricane Center depicted a landfall near San Luis Pass. Emergency management officials, members of the media, and residents of southeast Texas had been watching Rita closely and planning their course of action on Monday and Tuesday. Therefore, even though the hurricane was still 620 miles southeast of Galveston, everyone had the images of Hurricane Katrina's impact on the central Gulf of Mexico coast still fresh in mind, and an unprecedented, largely voluntary evacuation began on Wednesday across southeast Texas. Emergency management officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for coastal sections of southeast Texas beginning at 6 PM on Wednesday. However, residents waiting until then to begin their evacuation found roadways in and around the densely populated Houston/Galveston area already jammed with motorists who had left earlier in the day.The fear of Katrina-like impacts prompted many inland residents to evacuate even though they were not at risk from storm surge flooding. Therefore, an incredible number of people left, with officials estimating the total to be over 2.5 million. Although the gridlock and gasoline shortages frustrated many evacuees, the evacuation had been ordered very early, and there was ample time for residents to escape the region before the onset of adverse conditions, which were expected on Friday afternoon. By early Thursday morning, September 22nd, Rita had strengthened further and reached a peak intensity of 175 mph winds with a minimum central pressure of 897 mbs. This was the third lowest pressure on record at that time for the Atlantic basin, and displaced Katrina to fifth on the most intense hurricane list. An upper-level disturbance passing well north of Katrina early on Thursday briefly induced a more northward motion and altered Rita's motion from west-northwest to northwest. Although this change in motion was only slight; it spared the densely populated Houston/Galveston area from a direct hit and shifted the forecast track and eventual landfall point to the right. Residents of extreme southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana were then expected to experience the brunt of Rita. Fortunately, Rita weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on Friday, September 23rd, prior to landfall which occurred around 2:30 AM Saturday morning just east of the Texas/Louisiana border between Sabine Pass and Johnson's Bayou. Rita caused devastating storm surge flooding and wind damage in southwest Louisiana and extreme southeast Texas. Hurricane Rita was the strongest hurricane to make landfall across this portion of the U.S. coastline since Hurricane Audrey (1957). Rita affected a large inland area from southeast Texas across southwest and into south-central Louisiana. Widespread damage consisting of downed trees and power lines occurred generally along and east of a line from Crystal Beach to Liberty to Livingston to Lufkin in Texas. Although Rita tracked 50 miles east of Lake Livingston, sustained northerly winds of 40 to 60 mph occurred across the lake, generating a lake surge that damaged the dam. Fear that the dam could break forced an evacuation of communities immediately downstream as a precautionary measure. Emergency water releases from the dam on Saturday quickly abated this danger.Moderate beach erosion occurred from Freeport to High Island. Dunes protecting many beach houses along the west end of Galveston Island and Surfside in Brazoria County were washed away. Large geotubes along portions of the west end of Galveston Island and also along portions of the Bolivar Peninsula did reduce erosion in areas where they were installed.Most flooding was due to high tides along Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. Most of this flooding actually occurred near the time of landfall as water in Galveston Bay was pushed south out of the Bay onto the north facing shores of the island and the peninsula. Tides remained high on Saturday (after Rita made landfall) as strong westerly winds pushed water into East Bay. No significant flooding occurred due to heavy rain.All of the associated effects of Hurricane Rita in southeast Texas resulted in 3 direct fatalities, 3 injuries and $159.5 million in property and crop damage. In addition, the massive evacuation resulted in at least 49 indirect fatalities, mostly due to excessive heat and the transportation of the elderly out of harm's way. In Harris County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts near 60 mph caused numerous trees to be blown down resulting in widespread power outages that lasted for six days in some areas. Roof, fence, sign, and glass damage estimates was around $90 million. The greatest loss was to inventory spoilage of food due to power outages. There were at least 34 indirect fatalities before, during and after Hurricane Rita. The majority of these fatalities occurred during the evacuation prior to Rita and were the result of excessive heat and transporting the elderly. In Brazoria County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts near 50 mph caused some tree damage and power outages for a couple of days. Minor damage was reported in Surfside to roads and a few homes. Total damage was around $500,000.In Montgomery County, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Damage was mainly to fences, roofs, and mobile homes and totaled approximately $2.5 million. There were 13 indirect fatalities. Ten of the deaths were evacuation related while 3 deaths were carbon monoxide poisoning with no electricity in the home.In Walker County, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Damage was mainly to fences, roofs, and mobile homes and totaled approximately $1.5 million. In Galveston County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts to hurricane force were reported across the county, especially on the Bolivar Peninsula. Numerous power poles and road signs were blown down on Bolivar. Many of the beach homes received roof damage. Numerous trees were down with small structure damage on High Island. Power was out to most of the county on Saturday. In Galveston's historic district, a large brick-covered side of a three-story building collapsed and three other buildings caught fire and were destroyed during the height of the storm. There were three directly related injuries. A thirty-year-old woman suffered severe burns in the fire and two firefighters had minor injuries. Small structure, dock, and pier damage along with downed power lines occurred across Galveston Island. Total damage across the county was around $15 million.In Chambers County, tropical storm force winds with gusts in excess of hurricane force were observed. Damage consisted of downed trees, destroyed metal buildings and awnings, and downed power poles. One frame building near Winnie received major damage. Power was out throughout the county for up to seven days. Total damage across the county was around $8 million. One indirect fatality occurred in the county.In Liberty County, tropical storm force winds with gusts in excess of hurricane force were observed. Damage consisted of downed trees, destroyed metal buildings and awnings, and downed power poles. Power was out throughout the county for up to seven days. Total damage across the county was around $7 million. There were two direct fatalities. In Hardin, a man and a woman were killed when a tree fell on the home they were sleeping in. In Polk and San Jacinto Counties, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Widespread trees were down with many trees taking down power lines. Some trees fell onto homes and caused considerable damage. Widespread power outages were observed across both counties. Lake Livingston Dam reported a wind gust of 117 mph around 5:30 AM Saturday morning. This wind sensor was on the dam and the wind was blowing across the lake. With the reduced friction across the lake's surface, this wind gust report is reasonable. The strong wind blowing along the lake created a storm surge of approximately 1.5 feet at the dam. This high water and the wave action damaged the dam which required emergency releases from the lake to stabilize the dam. The damage in Polk County was around $23 million with $20 million of that being damage to the dam at Lake Livingston. Damage in San Jacinto County was estimated at $10 million. There was one direct fatality in San Jacinto County. A three-year-old female was killed instantly by a tree falling on to her home in Point Blank. In Houston and Trinity Counties, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near 50 mph were observed. Numerous trees were down resulting in numerous power outages. One heat related indirect death occurred in Houston County during the evacuation. Total damage for both Houston and Trinity counties was near $2 million.No tornadoes were reported with Rita. Maximum rainfall amounts with Rita were between 4 and 6 inches in and around the New Caney area of Montgomery County.

July 14, 2003

Hurricane Claudette made landfall along the middle Texas coast at Port O'Connor around 10:30 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 15, 2003. Claudette was the first hurricane to strike the Port O'Connor and Matagorda Bay area since Hurricane Fern on September 10, 1971. Historical records dating back to 1851 indicate Claudette is the first July hurricane to make landfall in this area. Claudette developed from a tropical wave over the central Caribbean Sea on July 8th. The storm moved westward until July 10th, when it turned northwestward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. This motion brought the center over the northeastern Yucatan peninsula of Mexico on July 11th. Claudette briefly became a hurricane on July 10th and was a 60 mph tropical storm at landfall in Yucatan. Claudette moved northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico on July 12th, then meandered over the central Gulf of Mexico on July 13th. A general north-northwestward motion followed on July 14th and Claudette slowly intensified during this time. Claudette reached hurricane strength on July 15th as it turned west-northwestward. This motion brought the center to the Texas coast at Port O'Connor that morning as a 90 mph Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Claudette turned westward after landfall, moving across portions of southern Texas and northern Mexico. The cyclone turned west-northwestward across northwestern Mexico and the Texas Big Bend area before dissipating on July 17th. Damage was observed across most Southeastern Texas coastal counties. Major beach erosion was observed from High Island to Freeport. Large geo-tubes on Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula did significantly reduce erosion. Coastal roads along the west end of Galveston Bay were under water due to tidal flooding. Further south in Matagorda County, major beach erosion was observed in the Sargent area. Tides in the west Matagorda Bay area were minimal. Water was pushed out of Matagorda Bay as Claudette approached and did not have adequate time to generate a large surge once the winds became east and then southeast.In Chambers County, lowland flooding was observed on the eastern shore of Galveston Bay within the communities of Smith Point, Oak Island, White Heron Estates, Cedar Point and Beach City. In Harris County, flooding was observed in the low-lying areas along the western shore of Galveston Bay (Seabrook and La Porte).In Galveston County, 38 single family homes were destroyed, 25 received major damage, and 964 received minor damage. 33 businesses were affected with damage costs of an estimated $970,000. Total damage, including beach erosion, was estimated at $8.3 million. The highest recorded tide level, 7.56 feet above mean low-lower water, occurred around sunrise on the 15th at Pleasure Pier.In Brazoria County, 2 single family homes were destroyed, 10 received major damage, and 39 received minor damage. 2 businesses were destroyed and 9 received major damage totaling $655,000. Total damage, including beach erosion, was estimated at $1.27 million. The highest recorded tide level, 6.99 feet above mean low-lower water, occurred in Freeport at the Brazos River levee on the morning of the 15th.In Matagorda County, 85 homes and 75 mobile homes were destroyed. 70 homes and 26 mobile homes received major damage. 105 homes and 117 mobile homes received minor damage. 52 businesses were destroyed or received major damage and 50 businesses received minor damage. One tornado (F1) damaged a couple buildings at the Baptist Youth Camp in Palacios. Total storm damage was estimated at $716,300. The highest recorded tide level occurred at the Colorado River Locks at Matagorda where the tide level reached 8.00 feet above mean low-lower water on the morning of the 15th.In Jackson County, all damage was wind related. Numerous homes suffered roof damage and numerous trees were down in the southern portion of the county. 4 single family homes were destroyed, 13 suffered major damage and 38 had minor damage. One business received major damage from wind. There were two injuries. Total damage was estimated at $593,860.The highest reported wind gust was at the South Texas Nuclear Power Plant in Matagorda County where an 86 mph wind gust was recorded at 1000 CDT on July 15th. The highest recorded sustained wind (58 mph) was recorded at East Matagorda Bay (PORTS/TCOONS site) in Matagorda County. The greatest 24-hour rainfall total (ending 800 AM CDT on the 15th) was recorded at the Galveston Coast Guard Station where 3.70 inches was observed. The greatest 24-hour rainfall total (ending 800 AM CDT on the 16th) was recorded in Edna where 3.48 inches was observed.

News

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Nov 15, 2022

Freeport LNG may extend plant outage through December

Freeport LNG will likely extend an outage that began after a June explosion, curbing...

Nov 14, 2022

Houston weather: Thousands Houston-area CenterPoint Energy customers without power during storms - ABC13 Houston

Thousands of residents in the Houston area are in the dark as thunderstorms roll in.

Nov 11, 2022

Natural Gas Futures in Freefall Ahead of Hurricane Threat - Natural Gas Intelligence

Natural gas futures fell for a second consecutive session Wednesday as a powerful storm approached the Southeast, threatening power outages, while traders

Nov 10, 2022

Natural Gas Futures, Cash Prices Bounce Back After Bullish Storage Print, Wintry Weather - Natural Gas Intelligence

Natural gas futures rebounded Thursday amid bullish shifts in weather conditions and a lighter-than-expected storage injection -- and despite widespread

Nov 10, 2022

Power outages, long lines seen in Texas on Election Day

Long lines at some of Texas' largest universities, power outages in San Antonio, and reports of broken machines have been seen on Election Day Texas.

Nov 9, 2022

Voting goes mostly smoothly on Election Day as baseless fraud claims swirl | CNN Politics Close icon Politics

State and local elections officials said Tuesday's voting in the midterm elections went smoothly overall, with a few isolated problems reported, including in the key swing state of Arizona where issues with voting machines sparked baseless claims about fraud.

Nov 9, 2022

Melrose Park voting site closed due to power outage | khou.com

A City of Houston employee was electrocuted while working at the park, causing the outage, officials say.

Nov 8, 2022

Democrat Beto O'Rourke takes his shot with Texas voters again - CBS News

O'Rouke has been driving throughout the state, trying to build a coalition similar to the one he had in 2018, when he narrowly lost to Ted Cruz. But this is 2022.

Nov 5, 2022

Cypress residents report issues with CenterPoint power outages | khou.com

Last week, CenterPoint blamed buzzards for the power outages. However, this week they told us that problem had been resolved in a statement:

Nov 4, 2022

User Comments…

Are you affected? Leave your comment below.

It is nearing 11pm and we have not had power since 2pm today. Centerpoint claims to be assessing the outage on its recording but according to an article I just read, centerpoint stated they would be assessing the outage at 6am 01/25/23. Which is it?

Cassy | January 24, 2023  

Pitiful! Who are you going to blame this one on. Sorry Abbott, Patrick, Cruz and Cornyn this is on you. Ask your residents and voters if they prefer backup support to your sorry excuse of an electric grid.

SJF | May 29, 2021  

A few day of cold weather and the whole damn state shuts down. Pathetic and completely unexceptionable. And y'all talk bout conceding smmfh! Stop being cheap and upgrade the power grid!

Beau | February 17, 2021  

No power for more than 30 hours! 77095

L Mancini | February 16, 2021  

No power for over two days!!!

Warren | February 16, 2021  

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Power Outage FAQs

What is Power Outage?

Power outage (also called a power cut, a power blackout, power failure or a blackout) is a short-term or a long-term loss of the electric power to a particular area.

What Causes Power Outages?

  • Severe weather (high winds, lightning, winter storms, heat waves, rain or flooding can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Other damage to electric transmission lines (vehicle accidents, trees, and animals can cause damage to power lines or equipment);
  • Repairing, maintenance or upgrades on power lines and equipment.

What are the Top Outage Safety Tips?

  • Stay away from the downed power lines, park vehicles in protected areas;
  • Unplug appliances and electronics, limit cell phone use to conserve battery life;
  • Use portable generators outdoors only, well away from open windows and doors;
  • Pack perishable foods into a cooler, keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible.

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Houston, Texas

City Houston
County Harris
State Texas (TX)
Country United States
Zip Codes 77001, 77002, 77003, 77004, 77005, 77006, 77007, 77008, 77009, 77010

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