When the Power Goes Out, People with Disabilities Suffer Most

Houston's Hurricane Beryl was more than just a storm for Kimberly Rubit. It was a 10-day struggle to keep her disabled daughter, Mary, safe without air conditioning, water, or lights. The power outage took a huge toll. In fact, at least 36 people died from heat-related issues during this time. This isn't just a Houston problem; power grids across the U. S. are failing more often as storms get worse. People with disabilities or chronic health conditions face the biggest risk when the power goes out. Many live in homes not equipped to handle extreme temperatures or can't afford their electricity bills. In Texas, the fear of another big blackout, like the one in 2021 that killed over 200 people, is very real. CenterPoint Energy, Houston's power utility, is under fire for not preparing well enough before Beryl hit. They're now focusing on improving their response and making the grid more resilient. Texas lawmakers are discussing if assisted living facilities need more rules, like having enough generator fuel to keep places safe during outages. But even with these efforts, many older adults and private homes could still be left without power and food. It's a complex issue that needs more attention and better solutions.