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As Hurricane Rafael Crosses the South-Central Gulf of Mexico, CenterPoint Energy Continues to Monitor and Remains Ready to Respond

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CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring Hurricane Rafael, currently a Category 3 storm, and implementing emergency preparedness protocols across its Gulf Coast service area. The company has suspended natural gas disconnections in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and has identified over 13,000 mutual assistance resources for potential emergency response. While forecasts suggest the storm may head toward Mexico, CenterPoint remains prepared for any potential impacts on both electric and natural gas infrastructure. The company has enhanced its staffing plans and is ready to deploy resources for service restoration if needed.

CenterPoint Energy sta monitorando attivamente l'uragano Rafael, attualmente una tempesta di Categoria 3, e sta attuando protocolli di emergenza in tutta l'area di servizio della Gulf Coast. L'azienda ha sospeso le disconnessioni del gas naturale in Texas, Louisiana e Mississippi, e ha identificato oltre 13.000 risorse di assistenza reciproca per una potenziale risposta all'emergenza. Sebbene le previsioni suggeriscano che la tempesta possa dirigersi verso il Messico, CenterPoint rimane preparata per eventuali impatti sia sulle infrastrutture elettriche che su quelle del gas naturale. L'azienda ha potenziato i suoi piani di personale ed è pronta a distribuire risorse per il ripristino del servizio se necessario.

CenterPoint Energy está monitoreando activamente el huracán Rafael, actualmente una tormenta de categoría 3, e implementando protocolos de preparación para emergencias en toda su área de servicio de la Costa del Golfo. La empresa ha suspendido las desconexiones de gas natural en Texas, Luisiana y Mississippi, y ha identificado más de 13.000 recursos de asistencia mutua para una respuesta potencial a emergencias. Aunque las previsiones sugieren que la tormenta podría dirigirse hacia México, CenterPoint se mantiene preparada para cualquier impacto potencial en la infraestructura eléctrica y de gas natural. La empresa ha mejorado sus planes de personal y está lista para desplegar recursos para la restauración del servicio si es necesario.

CenterPoint Energy는 현재 카테고리 3 폭풍인 허리케인 라파엘을 적극적으로 모니터링하고 있으며, 걸프 코스트 서비스 지역 전역에서 비상 준비 프로토콜을 시행하고 있습니다. 이 회사는 텍사스, 루이지애나 및 미시시피에서 천연가스 차단을 중단했습니다, 그리고 잠재적 비상 대응을 위해 13,000개 이상의 상호 지원 자원을 확보했습니다. 폭풍이 멕시코 방향으로 향할 것이라는 예보가 있지만, CenterPoint는 전기 및 천연가스 인프라에 미칠 수 있는 잠재적 영향에 대비하고 있습니다. 회사는 인력 계획을 강화했으며, 필요할 경우 서비스 복구를 위한 자원을 배치할 준비가 되어 있습니다.

CenterPoint Energy surveille activement l'ouragan Rafael, actuellement une tempête de catégorie 3, et met en œuvre des protocoles de préparation aux urgences dans sa zone de service de la côte du Golfe. L'entreprise a suspendu les coupures de gaz naturel au Texas, en Louisiane et au Mississippi, et a identifié plus de 13 000 ressources d'assistance mutuelle pour une réponse potentielle aux urgences. Bien que les prévisions suggèrent que la tempête pourrait se diriger vers le Mexique, CenterPoint reste prête à faire face à tout impact potentiel sur les infrastructures électriques et de gaz naturel. L'entreprise a renforcé ses plans de personnel et est prête à déployer des ressources pour la restauration des services si nécessaire.

CenterPoint Energy überwacht aktiv den Hurrikan Rafael, der derzeit einen Kategorie-3-Sturm darstellt, und implementiert Notfallvorbereitungsprotokolle in seinem Servicebereich an der Golfküste. Das Unternehmen hat die Abtrennung von Erdgas in Texas, Louisiana und Mississippi ausgesetzt und mehr als 13.000 gegenseitige Unterstützungsressourcen für eine potenzielle Notfallreaktion identifiziert. Während die Prognosen darauf hindeuten, dass der Sturm möglicherweise auf Mexiko zusteuert, bleibt CenterPoint auf alle potenziellen Auswirkungen auf die Strom- und Erdgasinfrastruktur vorbereitet. Das Unternehmen hat seine Personalpläne verstärkt und ist bereit, Ressourcen zur Wiederherstellung des Dienstes bereitzustellen, falls dies erforderlich ist.

Positive
  • 13,000 mutual assistance resources identified for emergency response
  • Proactive suspension of natural gas disconnections in three states
  • Enhanced cloud-based Outage Tracker system implemented for better customer service
Negative
  • Potential service disruptions and infrastructure damage from hurricane impact
  • Operational costs associated with emergency preparedness and potential restoration efforts

Insights

This news, while showing CenterPoint Energy's proactive approach to hurricane preparedness, is not materially significant for investors at this stage. The company's standard emergency protocols, including the temporary suspension of gas disconnections and mobilization of response teams, are routine procedures for utility companies in hurricane-prone regions.

The current forecast suggesting the hurricane may head toward Mexico rather than directly impacting CNP's service territories in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi further reduces the immediate financial relevance. While the company has identified 13,000 mutual assistance resources, these preparations are preventive measures rather than responses to actual damage or service disruptions.

The temporary suspension of disconnections will have minimal impact on revenue and the company's infrastructure investments in grid resilience are already factored into existing financial projections.

  • Teams remain ready to respond with enhanced staffing plans and conducting pre-landfall emergency preparedness protocols 
  • Customer natural gas disconnections have been suspended in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi to focus resources on preparation efforts

HOUSTON, Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Rafael's rapid intensification into a Category 3 hurricane before striking Cuba on Wednesday, CenterPoint Energy continues to diligently monitor weather forecasts and remains ready to execute its emergency preparedness plans and potential restoration efforts following any landfall impacts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

The company is continuing to conduct pre-landfall emergency preparedness protocols and stands ready to deploy enhanced staffing plans across its Gulf Coast service area to help restore service related to any potential outages. CenterPoint has also identified more than 13,000 mutual assistance resources that are available to support emergency response efforts if needed.

In addition to working closely with emergency responders and agency partners, the company is also sharing safety information with customers across its multi-state Gulf Coast service area.

"While forecasts are starting to indicate a potential path toward Mexico in the coming days, there remains a great deal of uncertainty around this storm and its potential impacts. To make sure we are ready for our customers and the communities we serve across the Gulf Coast, we continue to prepare to respond for any potential impacts from Hurricane Rafael on both our electric and natural gas infrastructure. Should it change paths and make a landfall in Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi, our teams will be focused on restoring service to customers as safely and quickly as possible," said Richard Leger, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Gas Business.

CenterPoint temporarily suspends natural gas disconnections ahead of Rafael
To help support its customers ahead of the storm's landfall, CenterPoint has temporarily suspended disconnections of natural gas service in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. This action will remain in place until next week when more is known about Hurricane Rafael and any potential impacts and restoration activities.

Electric and natural gas safety tips

  • If you experience an electric outage, do not open freezers and refrigerators any more than necessary, as opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly.
  • Only use a portable generator in a well-ventilated area and never run it inside or in a garage to avoid carbon monoxide fumes, which can be deadly.
  • Never connect a portable electric generator directly to your building's electrical system during a power outage; electricity could back-feed into the power lines and potentially endanger CenterPoint Energy workers.
  • Do not turn off your natural gas at the meter; your natural gas meter should be left on to maintain proper pressure in the natural gas piping within the house and to prevent water from entering the lines should flooding occur.
  • If you wish to discontinue natural gas service, the natural gas can be turned off at each appliance. Later, to restore natural gas service to an appliance, you may follow the written instructions located on the appliance for re-lighting. If you are unable to locate the instructions or don't feel comfortable re-lighting, call a qualified plumber/technician.

Important information for electric customers
At this time, the Greater Houston area is not expected to be heavily impacted by Hurricane Rafael's potential impacts, but storms are unpredictable, conditions can change rapidly and storm-related outages could occur. CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates via phone call, text or email. Customers can also stay up-to-date on outages with CenterPoint's new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker, which allows customers to see outages by county, city and zip code. The new tracker is capable of handling increased traffic during storms and is ADA- and mobile-friendly.

CenterPoint encourages all customers to have a plan to stay safe
CenterPoint is encouraging all of its customers to prepare and have a plan to stay safe during Hurricane Rafael. Customers can get storm-related electric, natural gas and flooding safety tips at CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter. Additional preparation best practices are available at Ready.gov

For the latest updates, follow CenterPoint on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates. For more information and other resources, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/NaturalGasSafety

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.

For more information, contact
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

FAQ

What preparations has CenterPoint Energy (CNP) made for Hurricane Rafael?

CenterPoint Energy has suspended natural gas disconnections in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, identified 13,000 mutual assistance resources, enhanced staffing plans, and implemented pre-landfall emergency preparedness protocols.

How can CenterPoint Energy (CNP) customers track power outages during Hurricane Rafael?

Customers can track outages through CenterPoint's improved cloud-based Outage Tracker system and enroll in Power Alert Service® for updates via phone call, text, or email.

What areas does CenterPoint Energy (CNP) expect to be impacted by Hurricane Rafael?

While the Greater Houston area is not expected to be heavily impacted, CenterPoint is monitoring potential effects across its Gulf Coast service area in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

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