The latest survey of registered voters from the 91ĆĆ˝â°ć’s Hobby School of Public Affairs found people in Harris County are concerned about the risk of damage from high winds and flooding, but the potential for another enduring power outage is the top worry during extreme weather. (Credit Sean Hannon/Getty)
Key takeaways
- 88% of Harris County voters are worried that an electricity outage lasting longer than a day will occur this summer. 42% say they are “very worried,” while 27% are “moderately worried” and 19% are “a little worried.”
- 85% are worried about wind damage. 25% are very worried, 29% are moderately worried and 31% are a little worried.
- 71% are worried their homes will flood this summer, with 20% very worried, 24% moderately worried and 27% a little worried.
- 63% have an unfavorable opinion about CenterPoint Energy, while 33% have a favorable opinion.
With hurricane season entering its most active months, almost 90% of Harris County voters say they are worried the power will go out for a day or longer. More than four out of 10, or 42%, say they are “very worried” about losing power.
The latest survey of registered voters from the 91ĆĆ˝â°ć’s Hobby School of Public Affairs found people in Harris County are well-aware of the risks posed by extreme weather and remain deeply distrustful of CenterPoint Energy, the utility company responsible for maintaining the region’s electricity distribution system.
Concerns about damage from high winds and flooding round out the list, but the potential for another enduring power outage is the top worry.
Renée Cross, senior executive director at the Hobby School and one of the principal investigators, said the findings suggest several lengthy power outages over the past few years have made people skittish about the possibility of another blackout.
“Eight years after Hurricane Harvey, people are still worried about their homes flooding,” Cross said. “Even more are worried about damage from high winds. Yet an extended power outage remains the top concern, with 88% of respondents worried that an outage could last longer than a day this summer.”
“Eight years after Hurricane Harvey, people are still worried about their homes flooding.”
— Renée Cross, 's Hobby School of Public Affairs
Mark P. Jones, political science fellow at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University and senior research fellow at the Hobby School, said the lingering worry may explain why so many Harris County voters don’t have a positive opinion of CenterPoint.
“CenterPoint has announced an initiative to harden the electric grid so it can better withstand hurricanes and other severe weather, but just 7% of voters feel the company has made a great deal of progress,” Jones said. “More than one-fourth, or 26%, don’t think CenterPoint has made any progress toward that goal, and another 44% think they’ve only made a little bit of progress over the past year.”
As a result, researchers found Harris County residents’ opinions of CenterPoint are quite low, with almost twice as many (63%) saying they have an unfavorable opinion about the company as the 33% who have a favorable opinion.
Among the report’s highlights:
- 88% of Harris County voters worry an electricity outage lasting longer than a day will happen this summer. 42% are “very worried,” 27% are “moderately worried” and 19% are “a little worried.” 12% are “not worried.”
- 7% feel CenterPoint has made a great deal of progress in hardening the grid, 25% a fair amount of progress, 44% a little progress and 26% no progress at all.
- 85% are worried about wind damage to their homes later this year. 25% are very worried, 29% are moderately worried and 31% are a little worried. 15% are not worried at all.
- 71% are worried about their homes flooding, with 20% very worried, 24% moderately worried and 27% a little worried. 21% are not worried at all.
The full report is available on the . The survey of Harris County registered voters was conducted between July 9-18 in English and Spanish and has a margin of error of +/- 2.04%.
Previous reports in the series focused on issues in Harris County, including the upcoming race for ; the race for ; and for sports stadiums and enthusiasm for new sports and entertainment opportunities.