Dear Neighbor,

Once again, I write to you as our community faces an enormous challenge.  Like many of you, I have been without power for most of this week, as have many members of our district team.  I share the frustration of many people who have reached out to me about the lack of preparation for and communication about the impacts of the storm and the power outages that have resulted in dire conditions for people in the district and across the state.

Many people have reached out to our office for help.  Our team in Washington is working around the clock to help in any way we can now, and will continue to do so in the days ahead.  I have included some of the resource information we have gathered this week below.

Our first priority is to assist you, and our local and state government leaders, with federal resources and information.  I have been in contact with FEMA, as well as leaders in Congress and at the White House, to request additional assistance.  I am glad to report that FEMA is providing assistance now, and we will continue to push for resources, ranging from generators to blankets, to help us get through this disaster.  This is and must be our first priority.

We must also have a full investigation into what happened, why it happened, and what we need to do to make sure it doesn’t happen again.  Yesterday, I joined many of my Texas colleagues in Congress in a letter demanding answers from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas about what led to these grid failures and next steps to ensure power is restored.  Today, I joined my colleague Marc Veasey, who I serve with on the Energy and Commerce Committee, in a letter to request that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission investigate the failures that led to this crisis.  And this is just the beginning—there is much more to do in the days ahead.

Right now, we are in a crisis.  For those of you who have power and internet connections, the information here may be useful to you.  And if you do, I also encourage you to conserve it, using as little as you must so that others may be restored.

Above all else, I encourage you to follow the guidance from local leaders throughout the district as we work together to get through this disaster.

Contact Information
  • To get the most up to date information from the Harris County Office of Emergency Management, text FREEZE to 888777 (I have signed up for this and it is quite helpful!).
  • If you are looking for a warming center, call 211 or 311 or visit https://tdem.texas.gov/warming-centers/.  
  • If you use durable medical equipment, like oxygen machines, that go out because they lose power, please call our team at 202-225-2571 and we will have someone contact you to see if we can help.
  • If you see pets left outside unattended for extended periods, call 832-927-9297 for help.
  • To report price gouging or other disaster scams call 800-621-0508 or file a complaint online at http://txoag.force.com/CPDOnlineForm.
  • If you or someone you know is without shelter and in need of transportation, call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000 and let them know you are looking for transportation with the HOT Team.

Helpful Information

  • You can track power outages at CenterPoint’s outage tracker: http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/index.html.
  • If you do have power right now, please conserve it.  The less you use, the more other people can get their power restored:
    • Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances. 
    • Avoid using large appliances (e.g., ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, etc).
    • Turn down thermostats to 68 degrees or lower. 
    • Open blinds and shades to take advantage of the sun’s natural heat during the day.
    • Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
  • To keep warm, do:
    • Wear layers, especially hats and socks.
    • Stay inside and limit opening doors.
  • But:
    • Do not bring in any heating equipment meant for the outdoors like grills or heaters—this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
    • Do not sit in a car inside a garage—this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • The roads are icy and dangerous in these conditions.  Stay off the roads as much as you can.  This will help our police and first responders, who have asked us to stay home as much as possible. 

A boil water notice is now in effect in most of Harris County.  Water pressure is extremely low and many homes are without water entirely.  City of Houston officials have asked us to conserve water, as well, so that it available for hospitals, the Fire Department, and other emergency uses.

Boil Water Notice Tips

  • Only use bottled water or water that has been boiled for 1-2 minutes (after reaching a rolling boil).
  • Do not use water from any appliance, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
  • Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water, do not use untreated tap water.

Closures

  • There will be no COVID testing or vaccines administered today or tomorrow.  Thursday, February 18. Houston Public Health will contact those with appointments to reschedule. 
  • ALL Harris County Transit routes will not run on Thursday, February 18.
  • HISD schools will also remain closed through Friday, February 19.

As always, please do not hesitate to call on me and my team if there is anything we can do to help you or if there is anything you want me to know.  You can email here or call (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 at any time.

Sincerely,


WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
119 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2571
Fax: (202) 225-4381
HOUSTON OFFICE
5599 San Felipe Road, Suite 950
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: (713) 353-8680
Fax: (713) 353-8677
 
     
 
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