outage map

Power Outages Sweep Southeast Texas: What You Need to Know About the Outage Map and Recovery Efforts

Southeast Texas is grappling with a widespread power crisis following a series of severe thunderstorms that swept through the region over the weekend. According to ABC13 Houston, more than 80,000 customers were left without electricity, sparking urgent calls for recovery, safety warnings, and a surge in searches for outage maps and restoration timelines. As residents scramble to understand the scope of the damage and how long it will take to get the lights back on, utility companies and emergency services are working around the clock.

This article breaks down the verified facts, the current status of power restoration, the historical context of storm-related outages in Texas, and what you can do to stay safe and informed—especially if you're relying on an outage map to track progress in your area.

The Storm That Shook Houston: A Timeline of Events

The trouble began on Saturday, October 25, 2025, when a powerful line of storms moved into the Greater Houston area. The Click2Houston weather team had been tracking the storm system for days, warning residents of the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds, and isolated tornadoes.

“This was a fast-moving, high-impact storm,” said meteorologist David Paul. “The combination of saturated ground and 60+ mph winds created a perfect storm for downed trees and power lines.”

Here’s a breakdown of the verified timeline based on official reports:

• Friday, October 24, 2025 (Evening): The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, and surrounding counties. Forecasters warned of potential flash flooding and wind gusts up to 70 mph.
• Saturday, October 25, 2025 (Afternoon to Evening): The first wave of storms hit Houston and surrounding areas. FOX 26 Houston reported that over 50,000 customers lost power by 6 p.m. CDT. Trees were uprooted, and multiple traffic signals went dark.
• Saturday, October 25, 2025 (Late Night): A second round of storms moved in after midnight, as confirmed by FOX 26 Houston’s weather team. This intensified the damage, with winds exceeding 60 mph in some areas. The number of outages jumped to over 80,000 by 2 a.m. Sunday.
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 (Morning): Utility crews began assessing damage and deploying repair teams. Emergency shelters were opened in affected neighborhoods, particularly in Pasadena, Pearland, and Katy.
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 (Afternoon): CenterPoint Energy, the primary utility provider, released its first public update, stating that over 1,200 workers were in the field, including mutual aid crews from neighboring states.

What’s Happening Now: Outage Map and Restoration Updates

As of Sunday evening, over 80,000 customers remained without power, according to ABC13 Houston. The outage map, a critical tool for residents, is being updated in near real-time by CenterPoint Energy, the region’s largest electric utility.

How to Use the Outage Map

The outage map is more than just a visual tool—it’s a lifeline for families, businesses, and emergency responders. Here’s what you need to know:

• Access: The map is available on the CenterPoint Energy website and via their mobile app.
• Features: It shows active outages, estimated restoration times, crew deployment, and areas with the most severe damage.
• Limitations: While the map is updated every 15–30 minutes, estimated restoration times are just that—estimates. Severe damage, inaccessible roads, and safety hazards can delay repairs.

“We’re prioritizing areas with critical infrastructure—hospitals, nursing homes, and water treatment plants—first,” said a CenterPoint spokesperson. “Then we move to neighborhoods with the highest concentration of outages.”

As of Sunday evening, Harris County accounted for nearly 60% of outages, with Montgomery County and Fort Bend County also heavily impacted.

Restoration Progress (as of October 26, 2025)

• Crews on the ground: Over 1,200, including 300 from out of state.
• Restoration rate: Approximately 15,000 customers restored by Sunday evening.
• Estimated full restoration: 72–96 hours from Sunday, meaning power could be restored to most areas by Wednesday or Thursday, assuming no new storms.

“We’re making progress, but this is a marathon, not a sprint,” said a CenterPoint operations manager.

Why Outage Maps Matter: A Tool for Transparency and Trust

In the age of digital connectivity, outage maps have become essential tools during disasters. They do more than show where the lights are out—they build trust, reduce panic, and help communities coordinate.

The Rise of Digital Outage Tracking

Before the 2000s, power companies relied on phone calls and manual reports to track outages. Today, smart grids, automated sensors, and AI-powered analytics allow utilities to detect outages within minutes and update maps in real time.

• CenterPoint Energy uses a system called OMS (Outage Management System), which integrates data from smart meters, field crews, and weather models.
• The outage map also allows customers to report outages, upload photos of damage, and receive text alerts when their area is scheduled for repair.

“The map isn’t just for customers—it’s a coordination tool for emergency managers,” said Dr. Lisa Tran, a disaster resilience expert at the University of Houston. “When you can see where the outages are, you can deploy generators, open cooling centers, and prioritize vulnerable populations.”

The Human Side of the Map

For residents, the outage map is more than data—it’s a source of hope and frustration. Many have shared stories on social media of checking the map every hour, hoping their neighborhood will turn green.

• “I’m on oxygen,” one elderly resident in Katy told ABC13. “I’ve been checking the map all day. It says my area is ‘assessed’ but no crew yet. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”
• In Pearland, a family of five used a generator to power their fridge and charge phones, but said they “felt lost” without internet to track updates.

These stories highlight a growing demand for faster, more accurate restoration estimates and better communication from utilities.

The Bigger Picture: Why Texas Is Vulnerable to Storm-Driven Outages

While this weekend’s storms were severe, they are not unprecedented in Texas. The state has a long history of weather-related power disruptions, from hurricanes to winter freezes.

A Pattern of Vulnerability

• Hurricane Harvey (2017): Over 2 million customers lost power in Southeast Texas.
• Winter Storm Uri (2021): More than 4 million were without power for days, leading to widespread criticism of ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas).
• Tropical Storm Imelda (2019): Flooding knocked out substations, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark.

“Texas has a unique combination of aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, and increasingly volatile weather,” said Dr. Mark Chen, an energy policy analyst at Rice University. “That’s a recipe for more outages.”

Infrastructure Challenges

• Above-ground power lines: Over 70% of CenterPoint’s grid is above ground, making it vulnerable to wind and falling trees.
• Tree trimming: Budget constraints and public opposition to trimming have led to overgrown vegetation near power lines.
• Smart grid adoption: While improving, Texas still lags behind states like California and New York in grid modernization.

In response, CenterPoint has launched a $2.5 billion grid resilience program, including undergrounding lines in high-risk areas and installing self-healing circuits that can reroute power automatically.

The Immediate Impact: Beyond the Lights

The power outages are having **far-reaching