HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — At least 13 people have died in Harris County as a result of Hurricane Beryl, as of Wednesday. During a Houston City Council meeting, members questioned whether some of these deaths could have been prevented.
“This loss of life feels more like a man-made disaster than a natural one,” said District C Council Member Abbie Kamin. “It didn’t have to happen like this.”
District J Council Member Edward Pollard apologized to the citizens for the city’s response to the storm, acknowledging that the city could have done more.
“We have to be transparent with the public and let them know that we did not do all that we could from a city standpoint,” Pollard said.
Several council members, including Pollard, called for changes moving forward. One suggestion was passing an ordinance to require generators for independent living facilities housing vulnerable populations.
After the derecho in May, reported on conditions at facilities like Independence Hall. Resident Thomas Wilkin, a double amputee, was trapped on the second floor of his apartment building for days because he couldn’t charge his electric wheelchair.
“I was wondering how we were gonna survive,” Wilkin said.
The owner of Independence Hall told that the building was not required to have generators.
“You cannot just accept the money from the people that live there and not give them the total services that they need,” said District D Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz.
Evans-Shabazz, along with Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck and District I Council Member Joaquin Martinez, are pushing for action on this issue. Most council members are waiting to see if the state will pass legislation requiring generators at some nursing homes and independent living facilities. However, current state requirements do not mandate generators to power air conditioning systems. If the state does not act, these council members pledged to introduce an ordinance, likely leveraging tax credits, to address the issue.
