CenterPoint Energy provides update on power restoration efforts following Thursday evening’s severe weather event
2024-05-17T05:00:00Z

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.


 Recent News

 

 

Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two Update: CenterPoint Energy continues delivering progress by deploying 750 automated reliability devices in January and progressing toward goal of 4,500 by June 1, 2025

 Houston – Feb. 12, 2025 – Today, as part of the second phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint Energy shared its latest monthly progress update with new action milestones including the installation of more than 750 automated reliability devices, which will reduce both sustained interruptions and restoration times in storm events.​

This new deployment of automated reliability technology began in January. The company plans to install 4,500 of these devices across the Greater Houston area by June 1, 2025, which are capable of “self-healing" when outages occur which will helps minimize impact to customers during storm events.

Since the launch of GHRI Phase Two five months ago, and in preparation for the 2025 hurricane season, CenterPoint continues to make good progress on the suite of additional resiliency actions, including new pole installations and replacements, as well as trimming thousands of miles of higher-risk vegetation in recent months. The latest program updates are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

In addition to the 750 automated reliability devices, in the last four weeks alone, CenterPoint has:

  • Installed an additional approximately 1,800 more storm-resilient poles,
  • Completed the clearance of approximately 400 more miles of power lines with high-risk vegetation,
  • Undergrounded 40 more miles of power lines to reduce the impact of extreme weather, and
  • Installed an additional 13 Intelligent Grid Switching Devices to minimize the impact of outages and help improve overall restoration times.

 
When completed, the resiliency actions outlined in GHRI Phase Two are expected to lead to more than 125 million fewer outage minutes annually for customers.

“The many critical resiliency actions we are taking all across the Greater Houston area reflect CenterPoint's commitment to better positioning our customers and our communities to withstand ​

the next major storm or hurricane. From installing thousands of poles and hundreds of automated reliability devices to undergrounding more power lines and trimming more hazardous areas of vegetation around our lines, our teams continue working toward our goal of building the most resilient coastal grid in the country and providing the more reliable day-to-day service that our customers expect and deserve," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.

GHRI Phase Two: Significant progress to date
On September 30, CenterPoint announced the launch of Phase Two of the GHRI, which included a series of actions to strengthen resiliency, enable a self-healing system and reduce the duration and impact of power outages. Through early February, the company has made significant advances across its Greater Houston service area, including:  ​​​​​

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GHRI Phase Two: More weather monitoring stations coming soon
CenterPoint teams will be taking additional actions as part of the second phase of GHRI, which runs through May 31, 2025, including establishing a network of 100 new weather monitoring stations. These improvements are on track to begin early this year and are expected to be completed before the start of the 2025 hurricane season.

The company is also working to expand and improve the way it communicates with customers and engages with communities before, during and after emergencies, including through a year-round safety and preparedness campaign. CenterPoint representatives will continue to be in the community in the months leading up to hurricane season to share information on its preparedness efforts as well as preparedness tips and resources for its customers.

CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its progress toward completing its critical resiliency actions and other GHRI commitments. More information and real-time updates are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

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, Ohio and 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. 
 
Forward-looking Statements
This news release, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding our resiliency investments, and the GHRI, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release, or the website pages related to the GHRI speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ​​

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency efforts across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to Trini Mendenhall Community Center

Houston – Feb. 11, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for 21 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit.

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing the donation of backup generation to support our partners in Harris County Precinct 3, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Keith Stephens, CenterPoint Senior Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer.

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.

Working with Community Partners on Locations
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations.

“This generator donation is a tremendous benefit to the residents of Precinct 3. Our precinct was the hardest hit during the Derecho and Beryl windstorms, particularly this area, with crews removing over one million cubic yards of vegetative debris. By placing this generator at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, one of our busiest facilities, we can ensure that we remain operational when the community needs us most. Thank you to CenterPoint for their partnership and this generous donation," said Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facility they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed and operational by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency actions across the 12-county region through Foundation’s donation of funds to strengthen community resiliency in Austin County

Houston – Feb. 10, 2025 – Today, during a meeting of the Austin County Commissioners Court, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of funds to support emergency response efforts to the Austin County Office of Emergency Management.

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for emergency response resources to key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the resources that will have the greatest impact and local benefit for community resiliency.

The donation is being made as part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). These donations will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing a donation to support emergency response efforts to our partners in Austin County, and we look forward to sharing similar donations with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These funds will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Brad Tutunjian, CenterPoint Vice President, Texas Gas.

Working with Community Partners
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal applications for the donated funds to strengthen community resiliency, with local officials ultimately deciding how to utilize the donations.

“Emergency Management and Response is a critical part of what county government provides. We have recently purchased a command vehicle for response within our county and surrounding areas. We currently move the vehicle in and out of the wash rack at the bus barn in Bellville to keep it out of the elements. A dedicated facility to house this vehicle is vitally important to maintain reliability and longevity of the electronics aboard this vehicle. We appreciate the support to bring this project to fruition and appreciate CenterPoint's dedication to the community," said Tim Lapham, Austin County Judge.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the donations to strengthen resiliency meet their specific needs. CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.

 

Photo: From L to R: Nethaniel Gjesdal, District Director for Texas House Representative Stan Kitzman; Leroy Cerny, Austin County Precinct 3 Commissioner; Olivia Chriss, CenterPoint Local Relations Manager; Chip Reed, Austin County Precinct 4 Commissioner; Brad Tutunjian, CenterPoint Vice President of Texas Gas; Paula Gibson, District Director for Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst; Tim Lapham, Austin County Judge; June Deadrick, CenterPoint Vice President of Community Relations; Roy Mercer, Austin County Emergency Management Coordinator; Aaron Coronis, CenterPoint Katy Service Area Manager; Greg Mikel, Austin County Precinct 1 Commissioner; and Robert “Bobby" Rinn, Austin County Precinct 2 Commissioner
 
More photos: CNP Digital Asset Mgmt

 
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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, Ohio and 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. ​


With below zero temperatures and several inches of snow expected over the coming week, CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help customers manage their energy use while staying safe and warm

Minneapolis – Feb. 7, 2025 – During this weekend and throughout next week, Minnesota is expected to experience heavy snow and frigid weather conditions, with many of the communities CenterPoint Energy serves forecasted to experience temperatures below zero. CenterPoint wants to remind customers it has a cold weather action plan in place and urges customers to have a cold weather plan in place as well to stay safe and warm.

Colder weather conditions may require customers to use more energy to keep their homes comfortable, so CenterPoint is reminding customers of tips, tools and programs to manage heating bills, while keeping safe and warm.

Winter Energy Guide
CenterPoint recently launched its Winter Energy Guide, a comprehensive online resource hub that helps customers throughout the winter heating season. The guide features practical and important safety, energy savings and bill management tips to help customers stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. The Winter Energy Guide can help customers:

  • Prepare a winter emergency supply kit. A winter emergency supply kit should have various supplies including water, non-perishable food for customers, their loved ones and pets, first aid kit, cold weather supplies such as blankets and supplies to have on hand in case of an outage.
  • Track energy usage. By managing their accounts online, customers can access an interactive chart that displays their energy usage trends and gives them insights into ways to save energy.

  • Take easy actions to reduce energy use. CenterPoint offers a variety of free energy-saving tips that can make a difference in the amount of energy used such as adjusting thermostats, opening blinds during the daytime to take advantage of the sun's warmth and sealing air leaks.

  • Implement vital safety tips: CenterPoint offers tips for customers and their loved ones to stay safe throughout the winter heating season including by using space heaters appropriately, testing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and by knowing how to identify and report a suspected natural gas leak.

Payment Assistance Resources Are Available for Customers
CenterPoint encourages those facing hardship to call the company to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available to them.

Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, residential customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills are required to set up a payment plan with their utility to prevent disconnection of their service between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The Cold Weather Rule applies to both homeowners and renters. To arrange a payment plan, CenterPoint customers can call 800-245-2377 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

Customers can also enroll in an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to help manage periods of peak usage such as the winter heating season, at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving the energy needs of more than 920,000 residential and business customers.​

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency actions across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center

Houston – Feb. 7, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for 21 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit.

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing the donation of backup generation to support our partners in Harris County, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Richard Leger, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Gas Operations.

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.

Working with Community Partners on Locations
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations.

“On behalf of Precinct 2 and the Aldine community, particularly those living near Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center, I am very grateful for our partnership with CenterPoint. With weather-related catastrophes becoming more frequent, having backup generation available at a center that serves so many people, this partnership is vital for the wellbeing and resiliency of the community. I am thrilled that we now have backup power ready to be deployed next time Mother Nature hands us our next emergency," said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facility they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed and operational by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.​

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, Ohio and 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. ​