As the first wave of summer-like heat settles over Houston, residents of Kashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward are bracing for rising temperatures — and the possibility of power outages they say they’ve faced far too often.
While the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) expects the state’s power grid to remain stable, many in these underserved neighborhoods aren’t convinced.
“Every time it comes down to this community, it’s always a waiting game,” said Sandra Edwards, a longtime resident. “Hope has been exhausted. We need actual and factual evidence that things are going to happen.”
Last year, Houston officials approved funding to install a permanent backup generator at the Kashmere Gardens Multiservice Center, a critical resource during weather emergencies. However, the Houston Health Department says installation may still take another six to eight months.
In the meantime, officials say a temporary generator setup is in place to maintain power at the center if outages occur. The multiservice center is one of several city-designated cooling or warming locations during extreme weather. However, community advocates like Edwards and Walter Mallett say the center has been forced to close its doors during events like Hurricane Beryl and the recent derecho due to outages.
“They always say we don’t have anything to worry about — until it’s time to worry,” Edwards said.
The lack of dependable power has made adaptation a way of life in these neighborhoods, where heatwaves and storms frequently disrupt electricity. This week’s high temperatures have reignited concerns.
Medical experts say the first few hot days can be particularly dangerous, especially for vulnerable groups. “The body hasn’t had time to adjust yet,” said Dr. Sara Andrabi, an emergency medicine professor at Baylor College of Medicine. “That transition from winter to warmer months can be especially tough.”
To help residents stay safe, the city is encouraging people to use public libraries and multiservice centers during business hours to escape the heat. Still, many worry that won’t be enough if the grid fails — again.
Mallett, like others, is tired of waiting. “We’ve been patient. Now we need results.”
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