Bellaire’s mayor Andrew Friedberg issued an optimistic update midday Thursday (Feb. 18), proclaiming “there’s light at the end of the tunnel” in a winter emergency that’s now in its fourth day.
Although sub-freezing temperatures will return tonight, Friedberg said most of the city now has power. The water system is “on track to be fully operational by the end of today,” with improved water pressure — but the boil-water notice stands for now.
Friedberg said that the Public Works Department is aware of “massive numbers” of homes with busted pipes and is evaluating the situation. He asked residents to check around their home and their neighbors’ for leaks. If assistance is needed to turn off the water, residents should call Public Works at 713-662-8170 or the city’s non-emergency number, 713-668-0487.
Here is the entirety of Friedberg’s blogpost:
There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Literally. We’re in the homestretch and the finish line is in sight! Most of Bellaire currently has power, and if there are any further rolling outages they should be of much shorter duration. There has been substantial improvement overnight in statewide electricity generation and millions more Texans have power again. Here in our area, CenterPoint is reporting over 98% of its customers are back online as of this morning.
Our water pressure is looking good, too. We still feel we’re on track to be fully operational by the end of today, but importantly, the boil water notice will remain in effect until the system is flushed and tested to ensure the water is safe to drink. We will of course let you know as soon as the notice is lifted.
This is all welcome news, but we’re not out of the woods just yet. We’re under another hard freeze warning for tonight, and though we’ll warm up a bit during the day tomorrow temperatures will be back below freezing again tomorrow night. Please continue taking precautions for yourself, your family and your plumbing, and let’s all keep doing our part by conserving electricity as much as we can.
Also, we’ve got a massive number of homeowners throughout Bellaire with busted pipes, and many may not even know it. Public Works is assessing the situation and assisting those who need help with shutting their water off. Please check for leaks around your own house and your neighbors’ as well, and call Public Works at (713) 662-8170 or the EOC non-emergency line, (713) 668-0487, if you’re unable to stop the flow.
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