No Ordinary Day at the Beach: Worldwide Power Products’ Heroics Amidst Houston’s May 16th Storm

by Will Perry, CEO of Worldwide Power Products 

May 16th started like any other day in Houston—hot and sunny. Little did we know it would turn into a day that would test the resilience and dedication of our team and city in ways we never imagined. As the CEO of our company, I’m incredibly proud to share this story of extraordinary effort and commitment.

A Bad Storm and Bad Timing

1/3 of the WPP Team in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

WPP team on Cabo beach

2/3 of the WPP Team in Houston, TX

WPP team photo celebrating Cabo trip

A significant portion of our team, about one-third, was heading to Cabo, a well-deserved reward for hitting a 2023 stretch goal. The rest of the team had the option of either joining the trip or receiving an additional bonus, and those who chose the latter stayed in Houston to ensure our operations continued smoothly.

The irony of the situation is hard to overlook. Just as we landed in Cabo to celebrate our achievements, Houston was struck by one of the largest power outages since Winter Storm Uri in 2021. The odds of this happening while a third of our team was away, enjoying a well-earned vacation, were incredibly low. Yet, this unexpected challenge brought out the best in our team.

Suddenly, our phones started ringing non-stop. The storm that struck the Houston metropolitan area was unprecedented for mid-May, with winds reaching up to 120+ mph in some areas. It caused massive destruction that even rivaled a Category 5 hurricane. The high winds shattered windows in many buildings and damaged transmission lines. Damage surveys found evidence of several EF-1 tornadoes embedded in the derecho during that period.  Over a million services around Houston lost power and the city was left reeling with damage and financial losses estimated between $5-8 billion.

Skyscraper damage caused by Derecho storm in Houston

120+ mph Winds Caused Transmission Lines & Power Lines to Crumble

Car and yard damage caused by Derecho storm in Houston

From Home and Abroad, WPP Responded

Despite being thousands of miles away, our team sprang into action. Many of our staff in Cabo put their vacations on hold and began coordinating efforts from the beach, poolside, and even their hotel rooms, with little to no sleep.  Some team members each responded to well over a couple hundreds of calls and texts to help coordinate generator rentals and service to customers in need.

Meanwhile, our rental and service technicians in Houston were dispatched all over the city, working tirelessly to help restore power with our backup generators.  They worked around the clock safely mobilizing over 75 rental generators and making over 100 visits to customer locations within 24 hours of the storm, demonstrating a level of commitment that goes beyond just doing a job—it’s about caring for the community and supporting one another in times of crisis.  

Our core values—communication, accountability, teamwork, integrity, and customer satisfaction—were on full display during this crisis. We pride ourselves on the WPP Way, “We bend over backwards,” to ensure we treat our customers and teammates with the utmost care and dedication. This situation was no exception. Our team communicated effectively, held themselves accountable, worked seamlessly together, maintained integrity under pressure, and focused relentlessly on satisfying our customers’ needs.

The dedication was awe-inspiring. Some of our team members had their own homes damaged and were without power, yet they continued to assist others in need. They worked around the clock, demonstrating a level of commitment that goes beyond just doing a job to truly caring for the community and supporting one another in times of crisis.

Persevering through One of Our City’s Darkest Moments

Witnessing this, even from afar, filled me with immense pride. Our team’s response to this emergency wasn’t just heroic; it was a testament to their character and professionalism. They made tremendous sacrifices, treating it as though it was all in a day’s work.

At our company, we’ve weathered many storms, both literal and figurative. Each time, our team rises to the challenge, showing incredible strength and unity. Their actions inspire me to work even harder, knowing I’m part of such a dedicated and selfless group of individuals. What they did on May 16th wasn’t just extraordinary; it was an embodiment of our company’s spirit and values.

This wasn’t just any ordinary day at the beach. It was a day that showcased the best of who we are and what we stand for. Legendary former head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, said, “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” As the CEO, I am proud to work around many leaders who excel as a team.

WPP response to Houston's Derecho storm on May 16th 2024