Power restoration efforts in Houston are moving at a faster pace. 460,000 energy customers were without power when Nicholas first hit the area and now that number is down to 42,000. This is due to power companies from across the state coming to assist, including Austin Energy.
“We left Austin this morning at 10 a.m. and we arrived in Houston at 2 p.m.,” said Artist Canton, Superintendent of Construction and Maintenance South for Austin Energy.
Artist Canton is one of 26 Austin Energy crew members that deployed to Houston to help with restoration efforts.
“It’s that time of year where we have a lot of hurricanes, just storm season. This is normal for us,” Canton said.
Nicholas made landfall along the Texas coast as a hurricane and the storm left much of Houston without power.
“We heard it was widespread because the storm came up through Galveston and made a right, so it went to like Baytown, Beaumont area. We heard about that side of town being flooded really bad and trees knocking down power lines and poles,” Canton said.
Austin Energy crews plan to be in Houston for at least the next two weeks restoring power.
“We did receive the request through the mutual assistance protocol. Austin Energy responded to the request and this is the reason why we’re here in Houston right now,” said Luis Rivas, Public Information Specialist for Austin Energy.
Rivas said they weren't the only ones to respond to the request from CenterPoint Energy.
“I do see bucket trucks comprised of several electric companies from Texas. I haven’t seen out of state companies. All the companies I’ve seen so far are from the state of Texas,” Rivas said.
On Wednesday, crews received their worksites that will begin the next day, leaving Canton eager to work and help out the Houston community.
“That’s the part we live for,” Canton said. “The fact that you made someone happy, you made more comfortable, and you made them more sustainable to live. I don’t know, I just enjoy the feeling.”