power outages

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Cities Aren't Prepared for Blackout, Heat Wave Combination

Post-Hurricane Beryl outages in Houston could have killed 1.5K if heat wave had lasted longer

(Newser) - A heat wave plus a hurricane that knocks out power is a lethal combination that many cities aren't fully prepared for, experts say. The Washington Post reports that while at least 10 people died from heat-related causes in the prolonged blackout that followed Hurricane Beryl in Houston in July,...

When Beryl Hit Houston, Locals Turned to Whataburger

Not just to eat, but also to check for power outages via the Whataburger app

(Newser) - We'll take a burger, small fries, and an update on Hurricane Beryl, please. That's what Whataburger customers in Houston are getting served up via the fast-food chain's app, which is providing what Quartz calls "a unique view into the storm's aftermath"—specifically, where the...

'It Was Fierce. It Was Intense. It Was Quick.'

Severe thunderstorms rip through Houston, killing at least 4; some could be without power for weeks

(Newser) - Power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston, an official warned Friday, after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, knocking out electricity to nearly 1 million homes and businesses in the region, blowing out windows on downtown high rises, and flipping vehicles. The National Weather Service said...

Crazy New Storm Is Coming for California

Forecasters warn of winter storm that could also cause hail, high winds—even tornadoes

(Newser) - The latest in a series of wet winter storms gained strength in California early Monday, with forecasters warning of possible flooding, hail, strong winds, and even brief tornadoes as the system moves south over the next few days. Gusts topped 30mph in Oakland and San Jose as a mild cold...

Texas to Overheated Locals: Cut Back on Power to Save Grid

Other parts of South also suffering from sweltering temps, post-storm power outages

(Newser) - Texas' power grid operator asked residents Tuesday to voluntarily cut back on electricity due to anticipated record demand on the system, as a heat wave kept large swaths of the state and southern US in triple-digit temperatures. On the last day of spring, the sweltering heat felt more like the...

Someone Deliberately Took Out the Power in NC. Why?
What We Know About the
Power Station Sabotage in NC
the rundown
Dec 5, 2022 12:08 PM CST

What We Know About the Power Station Sabotage in NC

The FBI has joined the case in the act of criminal vandalism at two substations

(Newser) - The power was still out Monday afternoon for tens of thousands of people in North Carolina after a rare case of sabotage at two power substations over the weekend. It could be days before electricity is back and even longer before authorities figure out what happened in Moore County. The...

Houston Residents Can Drink Their Water Again

City lifts boil advisory

(Newser) - Houston officials lifted an order Tuesday that had called for more than 2 million people in the nation's fourth-largest city to boil their tap water before drinking or using it. The boil order had been in effect since Sunday, when a power outage at a purification plant caused pressure...

Power, Water Knocked Out Again Across Ukraine

Critical infrastructure hit by Russian missile strikes in Kyiv, Kharkiv; 80% in capital without water

(Newser) - A massive barrage of Russian strikes on Monday morning hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other cities, knocking out water and power in apparent retaliation for what Moscow alleged was a Ukrainian attack on its Black Sea Fleet over the weekend. The mayor of Ukraine's capital said 80%...

'Massive Missile Attack' Knocks Out Power Throughout Ukraine

Hundreds of thousands without electricity, and there are warnings about water supply in some areas

(Newser) - Hundreds of thousands of people in central and western Ukraine woke up on Saturday to power outages and periodic bursts of gunfire, as Ukrainian air defense tried to shoot down drones and incoming missiles. Russia has intensified its strikes on power stations, water supply systems, and other key infrastructure across...

In 'Era of Extremes,' Calif. Asks Residents to Turn Off Lights

Rare emergency alert called for switching off of nonessential power to prevent rolling outages

(Newser) - Grappling with brutal heat this week, Californians were faced with a big ask, and it was a rare one, per KTLA . The state's Office of Emergency Services pushed out an alert Tuesday evening requesting that residents switch off any nonessential power, in an attempt to conserve energy and prevent...

Lights Out, Tokyo—It's Going to Be a Hot One

Government asks 37M residents to use less electricity to avoid power outages amid heat wave

(Newser) - Temps in Japan usually hover below 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the month of June, but a heat wave that's descended upon Tokyo and surrounding areas has led the government to plead with 37 million residents to switch off their lights to avoid power outages. The BBC reports that the...

Puerto Rico's 'Fragile' Grid Sees Major Blackout After Fire

More than 1 million customers are without power across the island

(Newser) - More than a million customers in Puerto Rico remained without electricity on Thursday after a fire at a main power plant caused the biggest blackout so far this year across the US territory, forcing it to cancel classes and shutter government offices. The blackout also left some 160,000 customers...

Powerful Storm Brings Snow, Ice, Even a Tornado

Severe winter weather across wide swath of US leaves 350K homes, businesses without power

(Newser) - About 350,000 homes and businesses lost power across the US on Thursday as freezing rain and snow weighed down tree limbs and encrusted power lines, part of a winter storm that caused a deadly tornado in Alabama, dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Midwest,...

It Just Gets Better: Houston Utility Sends Out $200K Bills

CenterPoint Energy says power outage caused a computer problem

(Newser) - By this point, at least 27,000 Houston natural gas customers must wonder if they're the butt of a cosmic joke. They received email notifications Thursday that their CenterPoint Energy bill was ready, and that it was $202,102.16. So not only are people trying to survive without...

Twitter Thread Goes Viral With Tips for Freezing Texans

Towels, blankets, pantyhose, pool noodles, even your own armpits can prove invaluable

(Newser) - As a writer living in Michigan, Rebecca Mix is no stranger to winter storms and the resulting power outages. That's why she decided to share her tips for keeping as toasty and safe as possible when you've got no heat, no electricity, and perhaps no water, per Digg...

Ted Cruz Controversy Unfolds on Twitter
Ted Cruz:
Yes, I Flew
to Cancun
updated
Feb 18, 2021 12:34 PM CST

Ted Cruz: Yes, I Flew to Cancun

Texas senator says he accompanied daughters to be a 'good dad' amid state's winter emergency

(Newser) - Texans have lots of questions on their minds these days. When will the heat come back on ? Will we run out of water ? And now, where's Ted? That would be Sen. Ted Cruz, who confirmed on Thursday that he flew to Cancun with his family amid the...

In Texas, a Dire Situation for Hospitals
Amid Texas Chaos,
a New Calamity
Feb 18, 2021 6:49 AM CST

Amid Texas Chaos, a New Calamity

Hospitals are running out of water

(Newser) - The chaos in Texas amid freezing weather that has left millions in the cold and dark has made its way to the state's hospitals. One issue that has caused things to become especially dire at medical centers: a lack of running water, resulting in problems ranging from low water...

Texas Mayor Tells People They're on Their Own in Outage, Resigns

Tim Boyd's online rant said Colorado City owes citizens 'NOTHING' during power outage

(Newser) - A Texas mayor has relinquished the reins of his post as a now-deleted Facebook post on the state's power outages continues to make its rounds via screenshots . Ex-Colorado City Mayor Tim Boyd was apparently upset after residents reached out to him about their electricity and water outages, and he...

Northeast Braces for Possible 'Bomb Cyclone'

Some areas could see double-digit snowfall levels in area's first major snowstorm of the season

(Newser) - The Northeast's first major snowstorm of the season is set to blanket multiple states over the weekend, with strong winds, anticipated snowfall in the double digits, heavy rains, and power outages in some areas. The weather event may even turn into a "bomb cyclone," which occurs when...

Hanna Floods Streets, Knocks Out Power in Texas

Now a tropical storm, its winds are still close to 50mph

(Newser) - A day after roaring ashore as a hurricane, Hanna lashed the Texas Gulf Coast on Sunday with high winds and drenching rains that destroyed boats, flooded streets, and knocked out power across a region already reeling from a surge in coronavirus cases, the AP reports. Downgraded to a tropical storm,...

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