Resident Anger in Texas Continues Amid Power Outages, Heat Wave, and Disappointing Response

The hurricane had knocked out power to millions of homes and businesses as it damaged the energy infrastructure. Some Texans are furious with the utility company and the government’s response to the hurricane.

Despite being a more mild hurricane on the rating scale, it was able to inflict unexpected damage and cripple the livelihoods of so many Texas residents.

“It’s really uncomfortable to think about,” said meteorologist Matt Lanza of Space City Weather on speculation if the hurricane hadn’t been as mild. “That is a scenario that is extremely plausible, it’s not far-fetched.”

“What I’m going to be doing immediately is instructing the Public Utility Commission to undertake an immediate study to find out why this is repeatedly happening in Houston, Texas,” said Abbott. “They should not be losing power.”

This is particularly bad timing for Texans without power, who will have limited ways to stave off the heat.

Local officials from Harris County have received more than 200 calls related to carbon monoxide poisoning as people rely on generator power to escape the heat and power necessary devices.

“Almost universally people have lost patience with CenterPoint,” Houston City Councilman Julian Ramirez told CNN. “CenterPoint can’t seem to tell us how long this is going to last.”

“We know we still have a lot of work to do,” said Ryan. “I know customers are frustrated.”

“We all need to be calm and patient,” said Sheriff Eric Fagan in a news conference Thursday. “Everyone is working hard out there 24/7… You have to realize CenterPoint called people outside of the state to help with this emergency.”

“You get very very warm, you open the windows and you just try to drink a lot of liquids,” said Elizabeth Garrison who lives north of Houston. “It was okay because we heard on Wednesday that a lot of people were going to get their power. So it’s like OK, I can make it Tuesday. But then Wednesday evening comes and you don’t have power and it’s even worse.”

“Uh, read the room…… You’re 1/2 way around the world while the people of your state struggle. Right now, furthering our relationship with Japan isn’t super important,” said an X user under a recent Abbott X post describing his meeting with Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“States must meet a damage threshold to qualify for federal disaster funds. Texas officials rapidly assessed damages for Beryl to request funds. Acting Gov. Patrick requested a federal disaster declaration at the proper time, & Biden approved it. There was NO delay whatsoever,” said Abbott on X.

“Just suffice it to say that the clock is ticking for CenterPoint to step up and get the job done,” Abbott said at a July 15 news conference in Houston.

“The lack of power (from) CenterPoint continues to compromise lives here in the Greater Houston-Harris County area,” Abbott said. “If you are without power in the extreme heat that we are facing, that alone can cause challenges.”

“CenterPoint Energy has now restored power to 92% of impacted customers and remains on track to restore electricity to approximately 98% of impacted customers by the end of day on Wednesday, July 17. The company now expects to restore power to all customers who can receive power by Friday, July 19,” the statement said.

“We are grateful to our crews who have restored power to our customers at a stronger pace than we have been able to in any hurricane in our history, despite the difficult conditions,” said Lynnae Wilson, Senior Vice President, Electric Business. “We continue to work around-the-clock to get our remaining customers back online.”

“In addition to damaging CenterPoint’s electric infrastructure, Hurricane Beryl may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment,” said the CenterPoint statement.

“CenterPoint has continued to support the communities it serves throughout this challenging time and beyond. Since Hurricane Beryl made landfall, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has contributed nearly $1.7 million to disaster relief organizations,” said the statement.

“The company has also provided more than 90,000 bottles of water to cooling centers and other distribution centers throughout the greater Houston area and is continuing to deliver supplies to meet other immediate needs,” said CenterPoint.

“Except for when it gets dark… no night crews.. you guys should be working 24/7 until everyone is restored… day 8 comes to an end with no power #CenterPointless,” said X user Joshua Redfield under a July 15 CenterPoint post saying their crews “will not stop working” until power is restored.

“Yall didn’t secure the line for at our neighborhood and now 1/2 of us are in the dark again,” said Salinas.

“Great to hear and even though I think yall are getting attacked we appreciate you. You all need to push back and demand respect while you restore us all. I’m not sure where on any of these local/state officials were told power would be restored for so many in such short time,” said one X user.

“I got no respect for a company that is subsidized by the government to do a job, then doesn’t do it,” said an X user.

Of these subsidies, over $400,000 has come from the state of Texas. In terms of federal subsidies in the form of grants and tax credits, the company has received over $200 million.