HOUSTON — Houston Heights Tower residents got good news Sunday after nearly three full days of living without electricity. The power came back on before noon.
The power went out during the deadly and destructive storms that hit the Houston area on Thursday.
It was a story that KHOU 11 reporter Julissa Garza brought you at 10 p.m. Saturday. KHOU 11 was the only station at Houston Heights Tower, showing you the issue affecting more than 200 residents
Eight people were taken to the hospital Saturday for heat exhaustion. Power came back on just before 11 a.m., Sunday.
Portable air conditioners run by generators helped keep people cool.
"It's been a sweaty hot mess," said resident council president, Brian Cotton.
This facility caters to low-income residents, many who have medical disabilities.
"I got our maintenance man to speak with (Houston councilmember) Abbie (Kamin) and tell her how many people in need we had here for oxygen tanks and CPAP machines," Cotton said.
Kamin they said was the first to raise the alarm, calling in help from the Houston Fire Department and Houston Emergency Management and other volunteers, like Crowdsource Rescue, Convoy of Hope and Village Heights Church.
"I think that’s just a Houston story that we know how to weather storms," said Pastor Hannah White.
White said they have church friends who live there and were grateful to join forces to help with supplies.
"It's really just been all hands-on deck," White said.
People who live there said maintenance crews were outstanding are behind the fans and portable AC units. It’s a heartwarming ending, complete with a much-needed cooldown.
"I’m going to really enjoy sleeping tonight," Cotton said.