a dismal number

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo warns of 'several days' without power even after temps warm

The deep freeze has wreaked havoc on locals.

Houstonians without power who are wondering how many of their friends and neighbors are in the same boat now have an idea. Some 1.39 million are without electricity, CenterPoint Energy announced on February 17.

The service provider noted on Twitter that residents should check its outage tracker and that power will be available once the much-maligned Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) makes it available.

We are ready to restore power once it is made available by third-party power generators and received through @ERCOT_ISO. As of 9AM, 1.39 million are without power. If your power is on, conserve as much as possible. For updates, visit our Outage Tracker: https://t.co/3X4Dv5QnN9

— CenterPoint Energy (@CNPalerts)

February 17, 2021

ERCOT’s current capacity is 45,000 megawatts of electricity, compared to the current demand of 43,800 megawatts. By early February 17, the forecast is expected to be up to 60,000 megawatts, yet the capacity won’t even get above 55,000 megawatts by 4 pm, according to ABC13’s Keaton Fox.

Meanwhile, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo prepped locals to limit their expectations. On a February 17 appearance on CNN, she said:

Over the past couple of days, we've heard from ERCOT that they are bringing generators back up, but on the ground, fewer and fewer people have had power. So what I've said is give it to us straight. And I'm telling my community do not expect the power to come back even after the weather passes. So, you know, right now we're trying to survive the impacts of the power and getting ready for several days maybe — we don't know how long — without power. And just hoping that the grid sustains itself.

Statewide, more than 2.8 million residents are without power, according to poweroutage.us. CenterPoint, locally, has reported that it could take until the weekend for many to see power restored. Adding to the challenges locallt are freezing rains expected on February 17, which means ice patches on roads, and an even greater burden on the power grid and residential pipes.

For his part, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott points his finger squarely at ERCOT for this disaster, calling for the resignation of its leaders.

“This was a total failure by ERCOT,” he told CultureMap new partner ABC13. “ERCOT stands for Electric Reliability Council of Texas ... and they showed that they were not reliable. These are specialists, and government has to rely upon these specialists to be able to deliver in these types of situations.”

city-news-roundup weather

Running With the Pack

Miles, smiles, and tails take over Memorial Park Thursdays with the Houston SPCA Run Club

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

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As Houston enjoys some of its most beautiful spring weather, the Houston SPCA Run Club offers a meaningful way to spend a Thursday evening at Memorial Park.

Meeting each week at 6:15 pm near the Runner’s Stretching Deck, the Houston SPCA Run Club welcomes walkers, joggers, and runners of all levels for the park’s popular 3-Mile Loop, which begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

What sets this run club apart is its mission-driven spirit. Participants can bring their own dogs or spend time with adoptable pets brought by the Houston SPCA, creating a uniquely Houston blend of fitness, community, and animal connection.

Whether someone is training for a race, easing out of the workday, or simply looking for an active social outlet, the club offers an easy, relaxed way to engage.

For many participants, that commitment extends beyond Thursday nights. A number of runners also support Houston SPCA through the Chevron Houston Marathon’s Run for a Reason program, turning miles logged into life-saving support for animals in need.

And who knows? You may just fall in love with an adoptable dog and give him or her the forever home they've been waiting for. The Houston SPCA works tirelessly to match eligible pets with owners, including good-natured dogs like Tobias, who was recently adopted by a loving family.

Meet dogs like Tobias (recently adopted) at the Houston SPCA Run Club.Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

So, lace up and leash up, every Thursday evening! The Houston SPCA team will have water bowls available to help keep your pup hydrated.

Join the Houston SPCA Run Club, and if you meet your match, celebrate the unconditional love of a rescue animal by adopting. To learn more about the Houston SPCA and its mission, visit HoustonSPCA.org.