HOUSTON — Houston-area residents braved another day in the heat after last week’s severe storms knocked out power for thousands, including those living at the Cypress Gardens Senior Living apartment complex.
The complex has been without power since Thursday. On Monday, generators, ice, and water were brought over.
“On this side you get a breeze, you can feel it. On that side you can’t, and I live on that side,” Dorothy Shields said.
The heat hasn’t been the only challenge for residents at the complex.
“I’m in the handicap room. I have a cane; I have one eye and with the elevators out it’s been very inconvenient trying to walk up and down the stairs,” Vicki Harrison said. “The staircases are really dark even in the daytime.”
Residents said they’ve been working to help each other as best as they can.
“My sister she’s been bringing me ice and water and I’ve been helping out other people too we share stuff,” Shields said.
On Monday, the Houston Fire Department, along with the Harris County Health Department paid a visit to see what the situation was like.
“For most people, what they need is air conditioning and a place to plug in. Whether it's to recharge their phone, or if they have a mobilized wheelchair or oxygen concentrators. Food is another issue,” said Chief Medical Officer for the City of Houston, David Persse.
The health department said they want to make sure the residents have everything they need as they continue to wait for their lights to come back on.
“Some snacks and some other things for the air conditioning,” Persse said.
Persse said it’s vital that people check in on each other and reach out for help if needed.
“Day four and it’s taken this long before folks are raising their hands saying we need a little bit of help on one hand it’s a credit to them but on the other hand we want everyone to know if you need help raise your hand, we’re gonna see what we can do to help y’all,” Persse said.