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How to Stay Cool Without Electricity or Air Conditioning in Houston

Gillberg
How to Stay Cool Without Electricity or Air Conditioning in Houston

Temperatures are expected to reach dangerous levels in and around Houston on Tuesday, a day after high winds and rain from Tropical Storm Beryl, including at least one tornado, left more than 2 million people without power or air conditioning.

Temperatures are expected to reach the lower 90s with a heat index of up to 106 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Houston.

A heat advisory is in effect for Tuesday in many counties and cities around Houston, from Crockett in the north to Wharton in the south, the NWS reported.

CenterPoint Energy said it could restore power to 1 million customers by the end of the day Tuesday, according to a CenterPoint news release issued Monday evening.

This comes a day after Tropical Storm Beryl moved through the region, initially as a Category 1 hurricane. At least three people were killed, including one Houston Police Officer.

Harris County, Texas Power Outage Map

How to Stay Cool Without Electricity in Texas

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 1,300 Americans die each year due to extreme heat, so it’s important to recognize the signs of heatstroke and stay cool.

Here’s what the NWS recommends to Texans:

  • To drink a lot of water.
  • Limit outdoor activities.
  • Work early or late in the day to avoid the midday heat.
  • Wear light clothing.
  • Wear sunscreen.
  • Check on the status of family members, friends and pets.

Other ways to stay cool:

  • Use water sprays.
  • Soak a towel or bandana in water and wrap it around your head.
  • Rinse off, jump in a pool, or pour water over your head to lower body temperature.
  • Heat rises, so sleep on the lowest floor or at the lowest point to avoid seeing into the hottest rooms.

After the power comes back on

How to stay safe when the power comes back on:

  • Wait a few minutes before turning major appliances back on.
  • Discard any food exposed to temperatures of 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
  • Throw away any medication that must be stored in the refrigerator unless the label directs you otherwise. Consult your healthcare professional or pharmacy for a replacement.

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