Houston Reels from Hurricane Beryl's Aftermath: Power Outages Leave 2 Million in the Dark

As the storm that was Hurricane Beryl finally moves on, leaving the nation's fourth-largest city battered and bruised, a lingering question on the lips of nearly two million Houstonians remains unanswered: when will the power be back on? Tuesday's update from utilities companies did little to alleviate concerns, with CenterPoint Energy's 1.6 million-plus customers and nearly as many from Entergy and Texas-New Mexico Power joining the army of those waiting for electricity to be restored.

At the peak of the crisis, nearly 2 million customers across the greater Houston area were forced to endure sweltering heat without the comforts of air conditioning or the convenience of electricity-powered appliances. Those affected took to social media to voice frustrations about the lack of updates from the energy companies and, more pressing concerns about how people should cope with the heat while waiting to get back to their daily routine.

Despite such dire circumstances, however, the community stepped up to support its own. Neighborhoods became rallying points for residents to help one another with whatever needs might have sprung up during the crisis, as many community colleges opened their doors to those looking for a cool place to rest. The power outages did not deter the City of Houston from trying to return to normal. Plans for events like the scheduled Houston Texans game went ahead as planned even with the city's power issues.

The city was bracing for the effects of the hurricane by clearing up shelters and hospitals but the lingering power outages hampered efforts for staff to find temporary replacements for immediate assistance and hospital equipment that relies on electricity to function.

Local Houston-area leaders were unapologetic about the decision to hold the scheduled events, like the Astros game this week, the local zoo's reopened facilities with animals ready to be visited by families again, while noting the power company center Point was deployed in maximum capacity and urging residents to hold on to hope for a faster restoral of power.

Government Response to Crisis

Governor Abbott, reacting to Houston's ordeal with the storm aftermath declared on the press note it will dedicate all resources available to alleviate Houston problems; adding Texas will offer financial assistance when the full scope of damages is known.

CenterPoint released a note stating that it has brought in extra workers and emergency crews to help deal with the sheer volume of repairs needed, including areas beyond the city proper. Entergy gave press note to customers indicating if customers might see a faster restoral this next weekend and that any customer with an emergency should contact 911 for medical assistance.

Even with emergency workers laboring through the night, hope may be taking longer to materialize, and tempers frayed among residents who continue to suffer in the sweltering heat, facing a glimmer of uncertainty on whether to remain in Houston until things settle down.

For now, life in the greater Houston area remains uncertain and those who reached out for help are still looking to any form of energy they might hold onto with a glimmer of hope for a weekend to remember – and an electric bill that actually works. Overwhelming community response to online forums like Craigslist only highlighted how large of an impact is currently felt with people eager to help out their neighbors, friends – or, total strangers all over Greater Houston while waiting out the storm's lasting leg.

Hope on the Horizon?

Though a timeframe remains unclear for when the city will be back up to full power, various government officials indicate many parts may begin receiving theirs again as early as tomorrow.

One resident said about current power situation and long commutes ahead 'We are all just being kept going by the friendships and by seeing neighbors working together to share their last charged up phones and meet together for some sort of social electricity.' As night descends once more upon this ailing city residents cling ever tighter to love that their metropolis – regardless of obstacles such as mere hurricanes appear very much ready to rebuild once again.