Severe thunderstorms leave 200 000 customers without power in Houston
Severe thunderstorms struck Houston, Texas, on May 27, 2025, causing nearly 200 000 power outages and significant infrastructure damage.
Image credit: Entergy Texas
Severe thunderstorms swept through Southeast Texas early on May 27, bringing wind gusts of up to 115 km/h (70 mph), heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning. The storms caused widespread power outages, affecting nearly 200 000 customers at their peak — around 540 000 people. CenterPoint Energy reported 167 000 outages, while Entergy Texas noted 31 760 customers without power by 03:45 LT.
CenterPoint Energy deployed 1 000 employees and requested 5 000 additional workers to restore power. By 21:45 LT on May 27, 99% of customers had power restored, with only 1 200 left without power. Entergy Texas restored power to about 24 000 customers by 16:30 LT, with 8 000 still without power.
The Houston Health Department distributed 400 portable air conditioners to seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Five cooling centers opened, four in Houston and one in Kingwood, to address rising temperatures. Heat indexes were expected to approach 37.8 °C (100 °F) by midweek.
School districts cancelled classes for over 400 000 students due to safety concerns. Beaumont Independent School District closed four campuses, including Curtis and Caldwood. Houston Independent School District aimed to reopen schools by May 29, pending power restoration.
The storms’ intensity led to significant infrastructure damage, particularly in Montgomery and Jefferson counties. Downed trees, caused by high winds and saturated soils, damaged power lines and blocked roadways. CenterPoint Energy noted that customer-owned equipment, such as weatherheads, needed repairs by qualified electricians before service restoration. This dual damage to transmission and distribution systems was quite rare.
Home-based businesses and remote work were affected, with some areas experiencing extended outages into late May 27 or early May 28. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Mayor Whitmire signed disaster declarations to access state and federal recovery funds.
Air quality concerns arose due to smog warnings, with heavy rainfall possible in eastern Louisiana and central Alabama. Houston Pets Alive reported damage to their facility, including a ripped awning and leaking water, but all animals were unharmed.
Reet is a science journalist and researcher with a keen focus on extreme weather, space phenomena, and climate-related issues. With a strong foundation in astronomy and a history of environmental activism, she approaches every story with a sharp scientific lens and a deep sense of purpose. Driven by a lifelong love for writing, and a curiosity about the universe, Reet brings urgency and insight to some of the most important scientific developments of our time.
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