Widespread Power Outages Hit Greater Houston
Severe thunderstorms swept through the Greater Houston area early Saturday morning, causing widespread power outages across several counties. According to CenterPoint Energy, more than 157,000 homes and businesses were left without electricity, while Entergy Texas reported additional outages affecting over 20,000 customers in Harris, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Tornado warnings, strong winds reaching 50 mph, and up to 1.5 inches of rainfall contributed to damage across transmission lines and transformers.
CenterPoint confirmed that as of Saturday noon, over 120,000 customers had already been restored, with 1,300 line workers and contractors actively mobilized across 12 service zones. Power restoration efforts will continue throughout the day, with a second wave of storms forecasted to hit from sunset through midnight.
How to Check and Report Power Outages in Houston
Residents can track or report outages through official platforms for real-time updates. The CenterPoint Energy Outage Tracker (https://tracker.centerpointenergy.com/map/) provides live maps showing affected ZIP codes, restoration progress, and estimated service recovery times. The Entergy Texas Outage Map (https://www.etrviewoutage.com/map?state=TX) performs a similar function for Entergy customers.
Customers may also report outages easily using the CenterPoint Energy website, mobile app, or by calling 800‑332‑7143. For direct online reporting, Entergy consumers can visit myentergy.com/s/reportoutagenow. Both utilities advise residents to sign up for automated outage alerts via text or email for immediate updates.
Safety officials remind residents to stay clear of fallen trees or wires and to assume all downed power lines are live. CenterPoint and Entergy issued safety alerts instructing citizens to avoid standing water, which can be electrically charged.
Power Restoration Progress and Safety Efforts
CenterPoint’s restoration strategy prioritizes hospitals, emergency services, and critical infrastructure first. Repair crews are handling broken poles, damaged substations, and underground cables simultaneously across the affected zones. The company deployed vegetation management teams to clear fallen trees, while materials teams ensure crews receive necessary repair components quickly.
Although most power is expected to be restored within 24 hours for the majority of households, the timeline may extend depending on the severity of storm damage and upcoming weather conditions. Officials urge residents to stay updated through CenterPoint’s Power Alert Service and to follow real-time updates on X (Twitter) and CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
Safety experts recommend using flashlights instead of candles to avoid fire risks, keeping refrigerators closed to preserve food, and checking on neighbors, particularly the elderly and those with medical needs. Crews will continue working around the clock to restore service safely while preparing for the next system of storms approaching late Saturday evening.
Overall, while Houston faced widespread damage overnight, repair efforts are advancing steadily with significant progress already seen across major service zones. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, exercise safety, and use official outage resources as teams work tirelessly to restore normalcy across the region.