In the aftermath of last week's destructive storms in Houston, Texas, numerous incidents have been reported across the city and its surrounding areas. According to various sources, at least eight people have lost their lives due to the severe weather conditions and related complications.
One such incident involved a Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy named Agustine Arellano. While helping in the community during the storms, he received calls from his wife reporting that their home had been split in half by a falling tree. The family managed to escape just before their attic and insulation caught fire, resulting in the loss of two of their sons' turtles.
Meanwhile, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo declared that the wind experienced during the storm was not seen since Hurricane Alicia in 1983. This Category 3 hurricane caused significant damage to Houston and its surrounding areas, with a death toll of 21 and over $3 billion in damages.
The storms also resulted in widespread power outages, affecting approximately 922,000 CenterPoint Energy customers at the peak. As of Sunday night, around 75% of these customers had their power restored. Centerpoint Energy is on track to be 'substantially complete' with the restorations by Wednesday.
Unfortunately, some individuals have succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning while using generators for power during the outages. The Houston Fire Department strongly advises caution when using these devices and encourages residents to follow safety guidelines.
In addition to power outages, the storms caused extensive damage throughout downtown Houston. More than 2,500 windows or skylights were lost or damaged in an area known as the 'exclusion zone.' Cleanup efforts are ongoing, with crews working to board up affected buildings and replace broken windows.
The recovery process is expected to take many more days, with temperatures remaining high and poor air quality posing additional challenges for residents. The National Weather Service advises taking necessary precautions to stay safe during this time.
