Reply #29: 575,000 without power in Houston. Much of Galveston has no power. [View All]

[GOPAgainstGW]

By KRISTEN MACK and MARK CARREAU, Houston Chronicle
Sept. 24, 2005, 11:09AM

After undertaking one of the most massive evacuations in U.S. history, Houston appears to have weathered Hurricane Rita with little damage. "It looks like the Houston and Galveston area has really lucked out,'' said Max Mayfield, director of the hurricane center. "For a storm that 24 hours ago was supposed to be the largest storm of the history of the Gulf bearing down on Houston, we have come out reasonably well,'' Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said.

There are 575,000 people without power throughout the city of Houston, according to Eckels. Patricia Frank, CenterPoint spokeswoman, said outages were heaviest in the south part of town earlier in the evening, but then shifted to neighborhoods in the Humble and Kingwood areas, which have many trees.

Houston police have cordoned off sections of downtown because of glass falling from buildings, including Chase Tower. The calls for service for police and emergency medical were lower than normal. But calls for fire were up.

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Much of Galveston is without power
By HARVEY RICE, STEVE McVICKER and KEVIN MORAN, Houston Chronicle
Sept. 24, 2005, 12:12PM

GALVESTON -- Much of Galveston was without electrical power early today and the historical section was scarred by a wind-driven blaze that damaged four Strand-area structures.

At least 41,000 in Galveston County were without power, largely because of high winds and falling power limbs, according to CenterPoint Energy.

Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said at a news conference late this morning that residents who tried to return would be turned back because the city is not safe yet. "Please do not try to come on to the island," Thomas said. A dusk-to-dawn curfew remains in effect in the county, the mayor said.

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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topfront/3367836
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topfront/3367955