Houston
—
May 17, 2024 — CenterPoint Energy's damage assessment and restoration efforts are continuing to ramp up this morning following yesterday evening's severe weather event. Crews began efforts overnight to restore power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible. There are currently more than 2,000 employees and contractors deployed, with approximately 4,000 lineworkers and 1,000 vegetation professionals requested for mutual assistance support.
- Strong storm system with winds topping 85 miles per hour caused significant damage to company's electric system, including Bellaire, Cypress, Baytown, Greenspoint, Humble and Spring Branch
- Restoration efforts in hardest-hit areas expected to take several days or longer
- Power to more than 180,000 customers restored overnight
- Approximately 4,000 lineworkers and 1,000 vegetation professionals requested for mutual assistance support
While there is still extensive damage to assess, crews made progress overnight restoring more than 180,000 customers in the last 12 hours. As of 9:30 a.m., more than 72% of CenterPoint Energy's customers, or 2 million, currently have power. Damage from the severe weather resulted in electric service interruptions peaking at nearly 922,000 customers.
“In certain parts of our service area where the damage to our infrastructure was significant, our restoration efforts are expected to take several days, and some of the hardest hit areas could take longer," said Lynnae Wilson, Senior Vice President, Electric Business. “We are mobilizing all our available resources, as well as mutual assistance resources from nearby utility companies, to begin the process of quickly and safely restoring power to our customers. We appreciate our customers' patience and understanding as we focus on the important work ahead."
Wilson added, “Due to the extent of the damage to our transmission system, we are also deploying mobile generation resources at certain substations that will enable us to temporarily restore power to certain areas of our service territory."
The storm system caused extensive damage to the company's transmission and distribution electric systems. Wind gusts between 65-85 mph and sustained winds equivalent to a tropical storm, or a Category 1 Hurricane, were seen downtown and eastward toward northern Galveston Bay. The hardest-hit area was likely over the 290 corridor from Jersey Village to Waller (e.g., North region west of I-45) where there was strong evidence of a tornado based on Doppler radar data. Restoration work is expected to continue through the weekend and into early next week. As repairs begin, information on particular areas will be provided to customers.
CenterPoint Energy has also requested mutual assistance to receive additional resources to assist with restoration efforts. The company is part of electric utility mutual assistance programs that provide access to thousands of line workers and vegetation crews from around the country to lend a hand during widespread power outage emergencies.
Those customers who depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment (such as chronic condition or critical care customers) are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place as CenterPoint Energy cannot ensure an uninterrupted power supply. If electricity is a necessity, customers should make alternate arrangements for on-site back-up capabilities or other alternatives in the event of loss of electric service.
In addition to damaging CenterPoint Energy's electric infrastructure and equipment, severe weather may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment. Customers should check their weatherhead, the point where power enters the home through an electric service drop, which is often a pipe located on the side of the residence or building. If the equipment is damaged, customers will need to contact a qualified electrician to make repairs before the company is able to restore service to them.
CenterPoint Energy urges customers to always stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and damaged electric utility equipment. Treat all down and damaged equipment as energized and report them to the company at (713) 207-2222.
We will continue to provide updates in the coming days. For latest information on power outages:
Please note: Restoration times may be delayed as crews continue to assess damages.
