HOUSTON – Harsh memories of losing power during the winter storm in February are still frozen into the minds of people at the adult assisted living facility, Noah’s House.
Now, they’re bracing for possible power outages again and facing a much different problem.
“It was sad to leave our home, very sad because this is our home,” said Scott Gardner who has lived there for more than 20 years. “It wasn’t fun, it was not fun at all. Freezing cold, frigid, extra clothing on me, bathrobes.”
The summer heat has led to the possibility of an opposite problem. With ERCOT asking customers to conserve energy, hoping to avoid another major outage, Gardner is already thinking ahead.
“I’ll open my doors up, let some air in, keep my blinds closed, and take a cold shower,” Gardner said.
Elsewhere throughout the city, folks who work outside like Kevin Rodriquez have similar ideas.
“It sucks. It’s hot. Construction workers got it the worse,” Rodriquez said.
Rodriquez adds he’s going to heed Ercot’s advice.
“Turn everything off while I’m at work, and when I get home, turn on one AC,” Rodriguez said.
But at Noah’s House, Executive Director Jonte Rollins knows a wide array of health problems makes the situation more delicate.
“I have several residents who are asthmatic so anytime without power, especially with the heat being a factor. You can always put on layers, but it’s hard to take off layers,” Rollins said.
Rollins says during the freeze, a generator was donated to Noah’s House but it wasn’t powerful enough to keep the place running. Rollins says right now the non-profit just doesn’t have the budget for a stronger one, but it’s something they’re hoping to get in the future.