Power Is Restored But Water And Food Insecurity Remain – How To Find Supplies, As Houston Expects Another Overnight Freeze

“The @HoustonFoodBank always comes through! Made an emergency ask to fill up a box truck and get people who hadn’t eaten in 24 hours some food tonight. They had our box truck there and loaded within the hour.” – CrowdSource Rescue, via Twitter, Feb. 17

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The sun is out this afternoon, and warmer weather is around the corner.

These unprecedented winter storms are almost behind us – we just need to get through the next 24 hours, as Houston faces another hard freeze overnight.

The power situation has improved a lot since yesterday, however, with power restored to thousands of Houstonians and more than 98% of the city as of this morning.

As for water, that's another issue. The boil notice for Houston and much of Harris County is expected to last through the weekend.

People are now worried about water. And food.

We’re here to help you get through another day.

Today, we have updates on weather, power, and food and water distribution – including information on food safety after a power outage and a crowdsourced list of stores and restaurants that are open.

Plus, we talk about solutions for Texas with former Congressman Beto O’Rourke, who has been active with volunteers to provide wellness checks on seniors during the winter storms.

Guests are:

Frank Billingsley:

Chief meteorologist, KPRC (Channel 2)

Beto O'Rourke:

Former Texas Representative
2020 Democratic presidential
2018 Texas Senate candidate

Kenny Mercado:

CenterPoint Energy's Executive Vice President, Electric Utility

Nicole Lander:

Chief Impact Officer, Houston Food Bank

Sara Willa Ernst:

Health reporter, Houston Public Media

Houston Public Media reporter Matt Harab also joins Ernie with latest information on the city’s boil water notice and water pressure situation.

Winter Weather Resources:
CenterPoint Energy Customer Service/Report Outage 713-207-2222
Houston Food Bank Helpline 832-369-9390 or online
ReadyHarris.org

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This article is part of the Town Square with Ernie Manouse podcast

Catherine Lu

Senior Content Producer & Announcer

While growing up in Chicago and Houston, Catherine’s love for art, music and creative writing was influenced by her teachers and parents. She was once concertmaster of the Clear Lake High School Orchestra and a four-time violinist of the Texas All-State Symphony. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Catherine...