HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s impact earlier this week, Houston is grappling with power outages while receiving support from law enforcement agencies across Texas.
During a press conference on Thursday, Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced the deployment of over 100 officers from various parts of the state to assist the Houston Police Department. These officers will help patrol neighborhoods without electricity, manage traffic control, and provide relief to HPD officers who have been working extended 12-hour shifts since the storm hit.
The department posted on social media, expressing gratitude for the additional resources from other law enforcement agencies.
Mayor Whitmire highlighted that approximately 1,400 traffic lights were still non-functional four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, severely affecting traffic flow across the city.
“We’ve had continuous coverage since the storm hit. Officers have been working tirelessly around the clock under the direction of acting police chief Larry Satterwhite,” Mayor Whitmire emphasized. “Public safety remains our utmost priority.”
Whitmire also underscored the critical need for electricity restoration, noting that 2.3 million people, including himself, were without power. CenterPoint Energy, Houston’s primary utility provider, projected a phased restoration plan aiming to restore service to 1.1 million homes, with 400,000 expected to have power by Friday night and an additional 350,000 by Sunday night. However, approximately 400,000 customers could remain without power beyond Sunday, marking a week since the storm’s impact.
HPD acting chief Larry Satterwhite addressed security concerns following the tragic death of a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy who was ambushed and killed while on duty near Tidwell Road and Highway 90.
“It’s a heartbreaking loss as this officer sacrificed his life helping in these dark neighborhoods Mayor Whitmire mentioned, trying to assist the public,” Satterwhite commented.
He reassured the public that HPD officers are tirelessly working day and night shifts to ensure safety and will continue to do so.
Satterwhite acknowledged the possibility of continued power outages into Monday and Tuesday and affirmed HPD’s readiness to support the community during this challenging time.
“Our focus is on maintaining coverage throughout Sunday as our shelters and facilities require continuous support,” Satterwhite stated. “We have crews actively involved in power restoration efforts, including deploying generators at intersections to address safety concerns in areas with limited lighting.”
The press conference emphasized the city’s concerted efforts to safeguard residents and essential services amid ongoing power challenges faced by most of Houston’s population.
