Some In Houston Facing No Power For Weeks After Storms Cause Widespread Damage, Killing At Least 4

May 17, 2024

Miles Ruder, Associated Press,

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HOUSTON (AP) — Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, an official said Friday, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses.

FAQs

What are many things that can cause a power outage such as a storm? ›

Hurricanes, floods, wind storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other severe weather can completely destroy critical power infrastructure and result in outages that leave expansive geographic regions without power for days, weeks, and even months.

Get More Info Here ›

Why do houses lose power during storms? ›

Utility poles, wires, transformers and other electrical equipment are easy targets for lightning strikes, causing severe damage and loss of power. Lightning also frequently strikes trees causing tree limbs or even large trees to fall onto utility lines.

View Details ›

Why does the power go out so often in Texas? ›

Climate Extremes: Texas is a land of climatic dichotomies. From freezing winter storms that paralyze power plants to scorching summer days that overload the grid, the state grapples with both ends of the meteorological spectrum.

Discover More ›

What is the most likely cause of a power outage? ›

Distribution failures ― By far the most common source of outages, distribution failures are sparked by a wide variety of issues, from routine storms to wayward Mylar balloons becoming entangled in power lines to mischievous squirrels foraging for a new home inside substation equipment.

Tell Me More ›

What causes electricity to go out during a storm? ›

Why does power go out in a thunderstorm? It's a combination of lightning in the thunderstorm hitting parts of the power system and thunderstorms producing a lot of wind. This wind not only damages the system directly but blows things like trees, tree limbs and occasionly other things into the wires.

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Can a house be damaged in a storm? ›

Storm-damaged buildings can be unstable and flooded floors and structural components may be soft and unsafe. Damaged drywall can fall without warning, and water-damaged electrical systems often have shorts or other problems. Before entering the property, ensure that it is safe to do so.

Why is Texas power grid so unstable? ›

ERCOT's order eventually exposed a devastating loophole: Natural gas production relies on electricity, and electricity relies on natural gas production. Subsequently, the faulty measures have made Texas vulnerable not only to cold weather but also to hot conditions.

Read On ›

What causes the power to go out? ›

However, the three most common causes are natural causes, human error, and overload. Basically, any interruption between power generation and the supply of electricity to homes can cause a power outage. It can stem from inclement weather conditions, human error, equipment failure, and even animal interference.

Keep Reading ›

How do storms lose power? ›

But storms can break poles, break trees, and break power lines. and this causes outages, which have to wait until power companies can repair them.

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What kind of disaster is a power outage? ›

Power outages can occur from a variety of situations, such as natural disasters (e.g.,flooding, ice storms) or from overwhelmed power systems during extreme heat situations. Power outages can last for prolonged periods of time and present unique challenges for agricultural communities.

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What animal causes the most power outages? ›

Squirrels. Responsible for the greatest number of substation outages across the U.S., squirrels enter substations in search of shelter and warmth—and possess the instinct to remember the best nesting sites.

Read On ›

Some In Houston Facing No Power For Weeks After Storms Cause Widespread Damage, Killing At Least 4 - WCCB Charlotte's CW (2024)

FAQs

What are many things that can cause a power outage such as a storm? ›

Why is Texas power grid so unstable? ›