When a power outage Houston hits, you need fast, trustworthy updates and a clear plan. Houston’s grid faces two big stressors: violent thunderstorms/hurricanes that damage lines, and occasional grid emergencies that can trigger short blackouts in Houston (rotating outages). This guide shows you where to check status, how houston power outages thunderstorms typically unfold, and the safety steps that matter most—backed by official sources.
Quick Links (Official)
CenterPoint Outage Tracker — live map, outage counts, ETRs.
Report an outage (CenterPoint) — 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143.
Power Alert Service (PAS) — free outage texts/calls/emails for your address.
AlertHouston (City OEM) — city emergency alerts & cooling-center info.
ReadyHarris — county heat advisories & cooling-center postings.
ERCOT grid alerts (EEA levels) — background for rotating outages.
How to Check Power Outages Houston (Fast)
Open the official map: CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker shows current outages and estimated time of restoration (ETR).
Report or confirm by phone: Call 713-207-2222 (or 800-332-7143). You can also enroll in PAS to get auto-updates for your service address.
City/County channels: Subscribe to AlertHouston; check ReadyHarris for extreme-heat alerts and cooling-center openings during extended outages.
Houston Power Outages Thunderstorms: What to Expect & What to Do
Severe thunderstorms can bring damaging winds, large hail, lightning, and flooding rain—all of which knock trees/limbs into lines and trip circuits. Follow NWS lightning safety: if you hear thunder, go inside a sturdy building and stay there for 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Before storms: charge phones, prepare flashlights, enroll in PAS, and monitor NWS Houston/Galveston (HGX) updates.
During storms: shelter away from windows; automobiles/boats are not safe in severe thunderstorms unless they’re your only option.
After storms: treat every downed line as energized; stay ≥35 ft away and call CenterPoint/911.
Context: utilities upgraded tools after 2024’s derecho and Hurricane Beryl; CenterPoint’s map moved to a cloud-based platform with faster refresh and higher capacity.
Blackouts in Houston: What Rotating Outages Mean
Sometimes outages aren’t from storm damage but from grid emergencies. When ERCOT declares higher Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) levels, utilities may perform rotating outages—short, controlled shut-offs across different areas to protect the grid. They’re a last resort and generally rotate until conditions improve.
What you should do: Reduce load immediately (raise A/C a notch, delay EV charging), monitor ERCOT advisories, and keep checking your utility updates.
Safety Essentials During a Power Outage Houston
Generator safety: Operate portable generators outdoors only, ≥20 ft from doors/windows/vents; install CO alarms.
Food safety: Keep fridge/freezer doors closed. Fridge ≈ 4 hours safe; full freezer ≈ 48 hours (half-full ≈ 24 h). Discard perishables above 40°F for ≥2 hours.
Downed lines: Stay ≥35 ft away; standing water, fences, or vehicles near lines can be energized.
Cooling centers: During heat waves, check AlertHouston/ReadyHarris cooling-center pages and maps.
Your 6-Step Houston Outage Playbook
Confirm scope on the Outage Tracker; if it’s just your home, check your breaker first.
Report + subscribe: Call CenterPoint and enable PAS updates.
Watch thunderstorm alerts from NWS HGX/OEM; move to a safe interior room during warnings
Use generators safely (20-ft rule); prioritize charging comms and medical devices.
Protect food & meds using the 4/24/48-hour rule; use coolers/ice packs for extended outages.
Special needs: Register for STEAR (Texans who need assistance during emergencies) or dial 2-1-1 for resources.
Resilience Tip
During a power outage Houston event, planning for the next one matters just as much as handling today’s. One practical step is pairing a compact battery with a small, weather-ready solar input. Sungold’s lightweight, flexible modules—such as the TF flexible solar panels and PA621 lightweight panel—are engineered for curved or weight-limited surfaces (RV roofs, awnings, balcony rails) and use cell-level shadow-management to help keep more stable output when parts of a panel are shaded by trees, masts, or debris. Combined with a quality MPPT charge controller and a right-sized battery, a compact setup can keep phones, home internet, a few lights, and essential low-power devices running through extended blackouts in Houston. Exploring site-specific specs (roof shape, voltage, shading profile)? Our engineering team can map a custom design, and you can start with our RV solar kits and Off-grid solar guide.
For Businesses & Integrators
Critical-load list: tag essential IT/cold-chain/medical loads and plan UPS + backup power.
Local weather hardening: for wind, flood, corrosion, and heat—spec outdoor-rated gear and protected conduit runs.
Segmented circuits: prioritize critical loads; consider PV + storage + backup generation paths (check interconnection/permits).
SOP & comms: integrate CenterPoint/AlertHouston/ReadyHarris/ERCOT alerts into playbooks and drills.
FAQs
Q1. How do I check power outages Houston right now?
Use CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker for live maps and ETRs; enroll in PAS; call 713-207-2222 if needed.
Q2. What causes houston power outages thunderstorms?
Severe storms bring lightning, damaging winds, hail, and flooding; trees/limbs strike lines and equipment trips. Follow NWS guidance: shelter and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Q3. What are blackouts in Houston and how long do they last?
During ERCOT EEA-3, utilities implement rotating outages to stabilize the grid—controlled and temporary until conditions improve.
Q4. What generator rules matter during a power outage Houston event?
Operate outdoors only, ≥20 ft from doors/windows/vents; install CO alarms.
Q5. How long is food safe during power outages houston?
Keep doors closed: fridge ≈ 4 h, full freezer ≈ 48 h (half-full ≈ 24 h). Discard perishables above 40°F for 2+ hours.
