Houston-Area Outage Disrupts Tomball Schools and Fire Stations Tuesday Morning

A widespread power outage in Tomball created major disruptions Tuesday morning, affecting several schools and at least two fire stations. The incident caused temporary delays, service adjustments, and a visible impact on families and first responders across the Houston region.

Tomball Starts the Day in the Dark

The outage began around sunrise Tuesday, according to local officials. It affected multiple neighborhoods and public buildings, including Tomball Fire Department Stations 1 and 2. Both stations reported losing electricity but remained operational through backup systems.

School administrators confirmed that several Tomball ISD campuses also lost power. Staff worked quickly to manage traffic flow, keep students safe, and adjust morning operations. Some campuses experienced short delays at drop-off and reported slowdowns with internal communications.

Utility crews began assessing the issue early in the morning. Initial reports pointed to equipment failure on a nearby line, though a full cause was still under review.

Impact on Residents, Workers, and Parents

The outage created challenges for commuters heading toward Houston as traffic lights in the area briefly malfunctioned. Drivers reported slow-moving traffic along FM 2920, SH 249, and several neighborhood intersections.

Families also faced unexpected disruptions as morning routines stalled. Many parents confirmed receiving messages from schools about brief operational changes and reminders to remain cautious while on the road.

Businesses near the affected area saw short service interruptions. Some shops postponed opening, while others switched to manual systems until power returned.

Why It Matters for Houston

Although the outage centered in Tomball, the effects stretched across northwest Harris County. Public safety agencies rely heavily on uninterrupted power, and even short outages can strain emergency resources.

Tomball ISD continues to grow, and power reliability remains important for families who commute daily to workplaces throughout greater Houston. When outages hit schools or major intersections, ripple effects can reach thousands of residents.

What’s Next

Power was restored to most service areas later in the morning. Utility officials said they will continue investigating the equipment failure to prevent future outages.

Tomball Fire Department leaders also plan to review response steps to ensure stations remain fully functional during similar events. School administrators reported that classes resumed normally once electricity returned.

This article is a summary of reporting by FOX 26 Houston. Read the full story here.