Hurricane Beryl Updates

7/15/2024 at 12:22 p.m. - The City has been notified that CenterPoint Energy (CPE) crews have returned to West U today to address continued power outages around the city. Crews will be working to repair main circuit lines and nested outages, which are repairs/replacements to lines, fuses, transformers, poles, vegetation removal, etc. This may not address all outages in West U today but CPE has indicated they will return to continue restoration efforts.

The City encourages residents to report outages directly to CPE to minimize a delay in CenterPoint receiving your outage information. As a precaution, the city has created a form for residents to report their outages. Please understand reporting your outage information through the city will delay in CPE receiving your outage information.

https://westutx.gov/FormCenter/Residential-Forms-4/Electricity-Outage-Reporting-215

Please do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line for updates on power restoration. The City's dispatch center will not be able to provide any additional information. The City will provide more information as it becomes available.

Solid Waste / Recycling / Yard Waste (not storm debris): The collection has returned to its normal schedule. Due to larger loads of solid waste, recycling, and bagged yard waste, collection routes may be completed later than normal.

Mosquito Spraying: This week's spraying will be conducted on the evening of Tuesday, July 16, weather permitting.

Charging and Cooling Stations: City Hall, the Recreation Center, and the Community Building remain available for residents to charge their devices and cool off during regular business hours.

Parks and Recreation:

• The Recreation Center pool is open. To check the status of the pool, please contact the Recreation Center at 713-662-7420.
• Colonial Park Pool remains closed due to the localized power outage. Once power has been restored it may take 24-48 hours to regain proper chemical levels. A notification will be sent out when the pool is anticipated to reopen.

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7/14/2024 at 11:56 a.m. - The City has been informed that CenterPoint Energy (CPE) crews have returned to West U today to address continued power outages around the city. Crews will be working to repair main circuit lines and nested outages, which are repairs/replacements to lines, fuses, transformers, poles, vegetation removal, etc. This may not address all outages in West U today but CPE has indicated they will return to continue restoration efforts.

The City encourages residents to report outages directly to CPE to minimize a delay in CenterPoint receiving your outage information. As a precaution, the city has created a form for residents to report their outages. Please understand reporting your outage information through the city will delay in CPE receiving your outage information.

https://westutx.gov/FormCenter/Residential-Forms-4/Electricity-Outage-Reporting-215

Please do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line for updates on power restoration. The City's dispatch center will not be able to provide any additional information. The City will provide more information as it becomes available.

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7/13/2024 at 10:05 a.m. - The City has been informed that CenterPoint Energy (CPE) will have crews in West U today working to address power outages in a portion of the city. Crews will be working to repair main circuit lines and nested outages, which are repairs/replacements to lines, fuses, transformers, poles, vegetation removal, etc. While this is definitely good news, please understand that this will not address all outages in West U today.

Please do not call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line for updates on power restoration. The City's dispatch center will not be able to provide any additional information. The City will provide more information as it becomes available.

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7/11/2024 at 2:25 p.m. - The City of West University Place understands how important it is to stay informed and updated during the recovery process. Below you will find updates regarding City services:

Emergency City Council Meeting: Yesterday evening, the City Council hosted an emergency meeting to extend the City's disaster declaration, authorize and activate a contract with a third-party debris hauling service, and memorialize waiving permit fees for storm related repairs.

Charging and Cooling Stations: City Hall, the Recreation Center, and the Community Building remain available for residents to charge their devices and cool off during regular business hours.

Solid Waste / Recycling / Yard Waste (not storm debris):

• Friday - normal collection

Storm Debris Collection: The first tentative collection will take place early next week. A second collection date will be coordinated at a later time. Residents are encouraged to get as much storm related debris curbside before next week. More information about storm debris collection will be available soon.

Permit fees related to storm damage repairs will be waived until September 6, 2024. Contractors will still be required to obtain a permit when necessary.

Parks and Recreation:

• The Recreation Center pool is currently open. To check the status of the pool, please contact the Recreation Center at 713-662-7420.
• Colonial Park Pool remains closed due to the localized power outage. Once power has been restored it may take 24-48 hours to regain proper chemical levels. A notification will be sent out when the pool is anticipated to reopen.
• Judson Park has reopened.

CenterPoint Energy (CPE): CPE is responsible for handling downed power lines or vegetation that is leaning or hanging on power lines. The City does not have the ability or authority to deal with the electrical distribution system. Unfortunately, the city cannot expedite resident requests. We ask residents to refrain from calling the city to report power outages and please direct those calls to CPE at 713-207-2222, or visit their tracking website.

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7/9/2024 at 5:30 p.m. - The City has completed its storm debris assessment and will be working with a debris removal contractor to assist with expediting these efforts. What residents need to know:

• The first tentative collection will take place early next week. A second collection date will be coordinated at a later time. Residents are encouraged to get as much storm related debris curbside before next week.
• Storm related debris includes large tree limbs, tree trunks, lumber, fence panels, and construction and demolition debris.
• Please clearly separate storm related debris from your regular trash, recycling, and bagged yard waste.
• When placing your storm debris curbside, do not block sidewalks, water meters, fire hydrants, or low-hanging utility lines, and do not place items in the street.

Additionally, permit fees related to storm damage repairs will be waived until September 6, 2024. Contractors will still be required to obtain a permit when necessary.

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7/9/2024 at 12:53 p.m. - City staff continue to assess the damage left from Hurricane Beryl and will provide an update on debris collection by the end of the day.

Charging and Cooling Stations: City Hall, the Recreation Center, and the Community Building are available for residents to charge their devices and cool off during regular business hours.

Municipal Court: Court hearings scheduled for today have been rescheduled. A notification was sent to those on today's docket.

Parks and Recreation:

• The Recreation Center pool is still closed. To check the status of the pool, please contact the Recreation Center at 713-662-7420.
• Colonial Park Pool remains closed.
• Power has been restored at the Community Building and is now open.
• Due to storm debris, Judson Park and Huffington Park will be closed until further notice.

Solid Waste/Recycling/Yard Waste (Not Storm Debris):

• Tuesday - normal collection
• Wednesday - recycling and yard waste from Monday
• Thursday - normal collection
• Friday - normal collection

CenterPoint Energy (CPE): CPE is responsible for handling downed power lines or vegetation that is leaning or hanging on power lines. The City does not have ability or authority to deal with the electrical distribution system. CPE has mobilized mutual assistance with other utility providers bringing in additional resources to help restore power as soon as possible. We ask residents to refrain from calling the city to report power outages and please direct those calls to CPE at 713-207-2222.

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7/8/2024 at 5:55 p.m. - West U first responders have been busy assessing the impacts of Hurricane Beryl. The city will reopen Tuesday, July 9 with modified services.

Hurricane Beryl Recovery: Mayor Sample has signed a disaster declaration that will allow the city to utilize additional resources as we recover from the storm.

CenterPoint Energy (CPE): CPE is responsible for handling downed power lines or vegetation that is leaning or hanging on power lines. The City does not have ability or authority to deal with the electrical distribution system. CPE has mobilized mutual assistance with other utility providers bringing in additional resources to help restore power as soon as possible. We ask residents to refrain from calling the city to report power outages and please direct those calls to CPE at 713-207-2222.

Debris Collection: The City will be completing an assessment on Tuesday of the storm related debris to determine the best method for collection. There will be more information forthcoming on when you can expect storm debris collection to begin. Please separate your recycling and solid waste from storm debris.

Charging and Cooling Stations: Tomorrow, City Hall and the Recreation Center will be available for residents to charge their devices and cool off during regular business hours.

City Operations: All City services will return to normal on Tuesday, except for the following:

Solid Waste / Recycling / Yard Waste (not storm debris)

• Tuesday - normal collection
• Wednesday - recycling and yard waste from Monday
• Thursday - normal collection
• Friday - normal collection

Parks and Recreation Facilities

• Recreation Center - The Recreation Center will open with regular hours on Tuesday, July 9, from 5:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. This includes the racquetball/squash courts, and cardio/weight room. For pool availability, please call before coming.
  • Some classes and camps, with the exemption of Kidventure and iKids, are expected to resume. If you would like to verify that your program is meeting, please contact a customer service representative at 713-662-7420 tomorrow morning.
• Colonial Park Pool - The pool will remain closed due to the power outage. Once power has been restored it may take 24-48 hours to regain proper chemical levels. A notification will be sent out when the pool is anticipated to reopen.
• Community Building/Senior Center/Scout House - All other park facilities will remain closed due to the power outage. A notification will be sent out when these facilities are anticipated to reopen.

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7/8/2024 at 10:05 a.m. - The City of West University Place is aware of down power lines and trees. For your safety, do not go near down lines, poles, or other electrical equipment. Immediately report down lines to CenterPoint by calling 713-207-2222.

Report down trees that are in the right of way to the City by calling 713-668-0330. Crews will be out once it is safe to do so.

Down trees on private property is the responsibility of the homeowner.

Residents are urged to stay indoors until the storm passes.

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7/7/2024 3:50 p.m. - The City of West University Place continues to monitor Tropical Storm Beryl as we anticipate landfall overnight. Forecasts still anticipate heavy rain, sustained winds and wind gusts, potentially leading to localized flooding. Out of an abundance of caution, City services and facilities will be modified on Monday, July 8. What this means:

• All City facilities will be closed and normal operations suspended.
• The Recreation Center and Community Building will be closed. All programs, classes, and camps have been suspended.
• Solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection has been suspended for Monday. Please treat this as a Monday holiday schedule:
  • Monday's yard waste and recycling will be picked up on Wednesday.
  • Monday's trash will be picked up on Thursday during your regularly scheduled day.
• Emergency services will continue. Please only call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
• Non-emergencies can be reported by calling 713-668-0330.
• Monday's City Council Meeting and Urban Planning Workshop has been postponed.

Residents are encouraged to make their final preparations this evening.

• Secure loose items around your home that could become projectiles or block drainage inlets.
• Park vehicles in the driveway or garage, not in the street.
• Turn off your irrigation systems.

Stay informed of any city service changes by signing up for Community News alerts:
www.westutx.gov/notifyme

Sign up for emergency alerts:
www.westutx.gov/westuready

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7/6/2024 3:45 p.m. - The City of West University Place is monitoring Tropical Storm Beryl as it continues to move towards the Texas coast. Regardless of the location of landfall, heavy rain and high winds are anticipated. Now is the time to finalize your preparations for this storm.

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