09/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/08/2024 21:37
CenterPoint Energy Remains Vigilant and Prepared for Storm Response as Tropical Activity in the Gulf of Mexico Continues to Strengthen
HOUSTON, Sept. 8, 2024- CenterPoint Energy continues to closely monitor weather forecasts and prepare for potential storm impacts from the Gulf of Mexicotropical system Invest 91L. According to the National Weather Service, the system has a 90% chance of tropical development, with increasing likelihood of a tropical storm or hurricane.
In preparation for potential severe weather across the Gulf coast including the Greater Houstonarea, Louisianaand Mississippi, CenterPoint's ongoing planning includes preparing staging sites, crews and equipment, as well as continuing to secure additional frontline resources from mutual assistance companies. The company has 2,000 frontline workers and 600-plus vegetation management personnel actively conducting pre-storm activities. CenterPoint has already secured approximately 700 additional vegetation management personnel to help with pre-storm work and identified more than 5,000 additional frontline workers if needed for response.
"While our weather experts work to determine the path, intensity and timing of the tropical activity, we remain vigilant and are fully focused on executing on our storm preparation plan. We are in the process of mobilizing all of our available resources and mutual assistance resources from other utility companies so we will be prepared to safely and quickly restore power to our customers should this tropical system impact our area," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President, Electric Business.
Call to Action: Sign up for Power Alert Service
Customers should remember that a storm is a powerful force of nature that can cause significant damage and widespread, lengthy electricity outages. Conditions can also change unexpectedly and for the worse.
Customers are encouraged to enroll in Power Alert ServiceĀ® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times, as available or determined, and customer-specific restoration updates in the event of severe weather. With the option to receive updates via phone call, text or email, Power Alert ServiceĀ® helps keep customers informed of restoration progress during an outage event. Customers can also find additional resources at CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter.
New and Improved Outage Tracker with Greater Web Resiliency
Within 24 hours of a tropical storm or hurricane exiting our service area, CenterPoint will communicate an estimated time for restoration for the entire system and will update the estimated times of restoration at least daily thereafter. The new and improved Outage Tracker will be used to update individual customers on their expected restoration date as soon as possible after restoration expectations are determined.
To learn more about Outage Tracker's new features and functionality, watch the demonstration video.
For an in-depth, step-by-step guide to using the Outage Tracker, click here.
Customers with Critical Needs
Because CenterPoint Energy cannot guarantee an uninterrupted, regular or continuous power supply, customers who depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment are encouraged to make alternate arrangements for on-site backup capabilities or other alternatives in the event of loss of electric service.
During pre-storm preparations and post-storm recovery efforts, CenterPoint urges customers to stay informed of weather conditions and warnings or advisories issued by local authorities by paying close attention to announcements from local news outlets for important information regarding ongoing conditions and recovery efforts.
Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative
Across Greater Houston, CenterPoint is taking action now to improve resiliency and help reduce the risk of outages this hurricane season.
As part of the first phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, throughout August CenterPoint crews and contractors installed more than 1,100 stronger and more resilient fiberglass poles, trimmed vegetation along more than 2,000 miles of power lines and installed more than 300 automation devices in neighborhoods all over Houston. The company's next step is taking the boldest series of resiliency actions in its nearly 160-year history, including additional system hardening, strategic undergrounding, self-healing grid technology, and further enhancements to its outage tracker.
The company also recommends that customers follow these important electric and natural gas safety tips:
Important Safety Reminders
Electric
Natural Gas
As this storm moves toward CenterPoint Energy's electric and natural gas service territories, additional updates will be provided as needed. For additional information on hurricane preparedness, visit
CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter and follow @CenterPoint for updates during inclement weather events. The following resources are also available on CenterPoint Energy's dedicated storm page:
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohioand Texas. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy