Heavy thunderstorms swept through the Houston metropolitan area overnight, knocking out power to more than 160,000 customers and leaving widespread damage in their wake.
The storm system brought intense lightning, powerful winds, and torrential rain, causing chaos across several neighborhoods as crews rushed to restore power and clear debris from roads.
CenterPoint Confirms Massive Power Outages Across the Region
CenterPoint Energy, the primary utility provider in the Houston area, reported early Saturday morning that over 160,000 customers were affected by the power outages following the severe weather event. The hardest-hit areas include West Houston, Spring Branch, Cypress, and parts of the downtown area.
Company officials said the damage to electrical infrastructure was extensive, with fallen trees, downed power lines, and damaged transformers complicating restoration efforts. Crews were dispatched throughout the night, but the company warned that full restoration could take several hours or even days, depending on the severity of the damage in specific neighborhoods.
Residents Advised to Stay Indoors and Report Hazards
Local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid flooded roads, and stay away from downed power lines, emphasizing the ongoing risks from storm-related debris and potential electrical hazards.
The Houston Office of Emergency Management also reminded citizens to use flashlights instead of candles during outages and to avoid using generators indoors, as improper ventilation can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Meanwhile, Houston Fire Department crews responded to multiple reports of minor flooding, fallen trees, and roadway obstructions, particularly in the city’s western districts.
Flights Delayed and Traffic Disrupted
The severe weather also disrupted air and road travel across the region. Dozens of flights were delayed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, while major highways experienced temporary closures due to water accumulation and fallen debris.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour in several locations and warned that additional thunderstorms could develop later in the weekend as unstable atmospheric conditions persist.
CenterPoint Urges Caution and Patience
In a statement, CenterPoint Energy encouraged residents to remain patient while restoration efforts continue, assuring the public that crews are working “around the clock to safely restore service.”
The company also urged people to report outages and damaged equipment through its official website or mobile app rather than approaching damaged infrastructure directly.
CenterPoint said that power restoration priorities focus first on critical infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency services, and water facilities, followed by residential areas.
Meteorologists Warn of More Unsettled Weather Ahead
Weather experts from the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston office have cautioned that the current system could bring more rounds of thunderstorms throughout the weekend, with the potential for localized flooding and further power outages.
Residents are advised to monitor weather alerts and have emergency kits ready, as similar systems are expected to pass through southeastern Texas in the coming days.