Storms in Houston, Texas: power returns to senior facilities after a few days

HOUSTON — Residents of the Houston Heights Tower received some good news Sunday after nearly three full days of living without power. The power came back before noon.

Power was knocked out during the deadly and destructive storms that hit the Houston area Thursday.

It’s a story that KHOU 11 reporter Julissa Garza brought you Saturday at 10 p.m. KHOU 11 was the only station in the Houston Heights Tower, showing you the problem affecting more than 200 residents

Eight people were taken to hospital Saturday for heat exhaustion. Power returned shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday.

Portable air conditioners powered by generators helped keep people cool.

“It’s been a hot, sweaty mess,” said Resident Council President Brian Cotton.

This facility serves low-income residents, many of whom have medical disabilities.

“I asked our maintenance worker to speak with Abbie (Kamin, Houston City Council member) and tell her how many people we have here in need of oxygen tanks and CPAP machines” , Cotton said.

Kamin, they said, was the first to sound the alarm, calling for help from the Houston Fire Department and Houston Emergency Management as well as other volunteers, like Crowdsource Rescue, Convoy of Hope and Village Heights Church.

“I think it’s just a Houston thing that we know how to weather storms,” said Pastor Hannah White.

White said they had church friends who lived there and were grateful to join forces to help with supplies.

“It really all happened on the field,” White said.

People who live there said the maintenance crews were exceptional behind the fans and portable air conditioning units. It’s a heartwarming ending, complete with a much-needed cooldown.

“I’m really going to enjoy sleeping in tonight,” Cotton said.

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