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As Rafael Intensifies into Category 3 Hurricane, CenterPoint Energy Remains Vigilant and Prepared for Impacts Across Multi-State, Gulf Coast Service Area

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CenterPoint Energy is preparing for potential impacts from Hurricane Rafael, now a Category 3 storm with 115 mph winds, across its Gulf Coast service area. The company has mobilized over 13,000 mutual assistance resources, implemented enhanced staffing plans, and suspended natural gas disconnections in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. While the Greater Houston area is not expected to be heavily impacted, the company is conducting pre-landfall emergency protocols and urging customers to take safety precautions. CenterPoint has enhanced its outage tracking capabilities and is encouraging customers to enroll in Power Alert Service® for updates.

CenterPoint Energy si sta preparando per i potenziali impatti dell'Uragano Rafael, attualmente una tempesta di Categoria 3 con venti di 115 mph, nella sua area di servizio della Costa del Golfo. L'azienda ha mobilitato oltre 13.000 risorse di assistenza reciproca, implementato piani di personale potenziati e sospeso le disconnessioni del gas naturale in Texas, Louisiana e Mississippi. Sebbene l'area metropolitana di Houston non sia prevista essere gravemente colpita, l'azienda sta attuando protocolli di emergenza prima dell'impatto e invita i clienti a prendere precauzioni di sicurezza. CenterPoint ha migliorato le sue capacità di monitoraggio delle interruzioni e incoraggia i clienti a iscriversi al servizio Power Alert® per aggiornamenti.

CenterPoint Energy se está preparando para los posibles impactos del Huracán Rafael, ahora una tormenta de Categoría 3 con vientos de 115 mph, en su área de servicio de la Costa del Golfo. La compañía ha movilizado más de 13,000 recursos de asistencia mutua, implementado planes de personal mejorados y suspendido las desconexiones de gas natural en Texas, Louisiana y Mississippi. Aunque no se espera que el área metropolitana de Houston se vea gravemente afectada, la compañía está llevando a cabo protocolos de emergencia previos al impacto y está instando a los clientes a tomar precauciones de seguridad. CenterPoint ha mejorado sus capacidades de seguimiento de interrupciones y está alentando a los clientes a inscribirse en el servicio Power Alert® para recibir actualizaciones.

CenterPoint Energy는 현재 시속 115마일의 바람을 가진 카테고리 3의 허리케인 라파엘로 인해 걸프코스트 서비스 지역에서 발생할 수 있는 잠재적 영향을 준비하고 있습니다. 회사는 13,000명 이상의 상호 지원 자원을 동원하고, 인력 계획을 강화하며, 텍사스, 루이지애나 및 미시시피에서 천연가스 단전을 중단했습니다. 휴스턴 대도시 지역은 큰 영향을 받지 않을 것으로 예상되지만, 회사는 착륙 전 비상 프로토콜을 시행하고 고객에게 안전 예방 조치를 취할 것을 권장하고 있습니다. CenterPoint는 정전 추적 기능을 강화하고 고객이 업데이트를 받을 수 있도록 Power Alert® 서비스에 등록하도록 권장하고 있습니다.

CenterPoint Energy se prépare aux impacts potentiels de l'ouragan Rafael, maintenant une tempête de catégorie 3 avec des vents de 115 mph, dans sa zone de service du Golfe du Mexique. L'entreprise a mobilisé plus de 13 000 ressources d'assistance mutuelle, mis en œuvre des plans de personnel renforcés et suspendu les coupures de gaz naturel au Texas, en Louisiane et au Mississippi. Bien que l'agglomération de Houston ne soit pas censée être fortement touchée, l'entreprise met en œuvre des protocoles d'urgence avant l'impact et incite les clients à prendre des précautions de sécurité. CenterPoint a renforcé ses capacités de suivi des pannes et encourage les clients à s'inscrire au service Power Alert® pour des mises à jour.

CenterPoint Energy bereitet sich auf mögliche Auswirkungen des Hurrikans Rafael vor, der jetzt einen Sturm der Kategorie 3 mit Winden von 115 mph darstellt, in seinem Servicegebiet an der Golfküste. Das Unternehmen hat über 13.000 Ressourcen zur gegenseitigen Unterstützung mobilisiert, verbesserte Personalpläne umgesetzt und die Abholung von Erdgas in Texas, Louisiana und Mississippi ausgesetzt. Während im Großraum Houston nicht erwartet wird, dass er schwer getroffen wird, führt das Unternehmen Notfallprotokolle vor der Landung durch und fordert die Kunden auf, Sicherheitsvorkehrungen zu treffen. CenterPoint hat seine Überwachungskapazitäten bei Störungen verbessert und ermutigt die Kunden, sich für den Power Alert®-Service anzumelden, um aktuelle Informationen zu erhalten.

Positive
  • Mobilized 13,000+ mutual assistance resources for emergency response
  • Enhanced outage tracking system with improved cloud-based capabilities
  • Proactive suspension of natural gas disconnections in affected states
Negative
  • Potential service disruptions across multiple states due to hurricane
  • Risk of infrastructure damage from Category 3 hurricane winds
  • Possible operational challenges in three-state service area

Insights

This news, while detailing CenterPoint Energy's storm preparations, is not financially impactful for investors. The company is following standard utility sector emergency protocols by:

  • Mobilizing resources and implementing emergency preparedness measures
  • Temporarily suspending natural gas disconnections
  • Coordinating with emergency responders

These actions represent routine operational procedures for utilities facing severe weather events. While Hurricane Rafael could potentially impact operations, there's no indication of material financial impact at this stage. The company appears well-prepared with identified mutual assistance resources and established emergency response protocols.

  • Company continuing to urge electric and natural gas customers in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi to take proactive safety measures
  • Teams are instituting enhanced staffing plans and conducting pre-landfall emergency preparedness protocols ahead of the weather
  • Customer natural gas disconnections have been suspended in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi to focus resources on preparation efforts

HOUSTON, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy continues to closely monitor forecasts and prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Rafael, which has intensified into a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. The company continues to mobilize resources, conduct pre-landfall emergency preparedness protocols and implement enhanced staffing plans to support potential landfall impacts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. CenterPoint has also identified more than 13,000 mutual assistance resources to support emergency response efforts and help restore service to impacted customers if needed over the coming days.

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.

"There is still a great deal of uncertainty around Rafael and its ultimate landfall. But we want the customers and the communities we serve across the Gulf Coast to know that CenterPoint continues to prepare to respond to any potential impacts on both our electric and natural gas networks. Should it make landfall in Texas, Louisiana or Mississippi, our teams will be focused on restoring service to customers as safely and quickly as possible. We will continue coordinating with our emergency partners and sharing important safety information with our customers over the coming days, and we urge everyone in the path of the storm to stay vigilant and take the necessary preparation steps to keep themselves and their communities safe," 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.

CenterPoint Energy Gulf Coast Service Territory

Safety Tips for Electric Customers

  • 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 your residence 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 backfeed into the power lines and potentially endanger utility workers, emergency responders or members of the public.
  • Have your weatherhead, which connects the overhead power line to your home or business, checked for damage. Any weatherhead problems will need to be repaired by a licensed electrician prior to service being restored.
  • Stay away from low-hanging, downed power lines or lines that could be submerged in standing water. Treat all downed power lines and damaged electric utility equipment as if they are energized. Report any low-hanging or downed power lines and damaged electric utility equipment to CenterPoint Energy by calling 713-207-2222.
  • Water poses a potential electric safety threat because it's a good conductor – always be careful not to touch water, or anything in contact with it, near a downed power line.
  • Any amount of water, including a puddle, can become energized. If you see a downed power line near water, retreat to a safe distance, then call CenterPoint Energy immediately at 713-207-2222 to report it.
  • Flood water can be hazardous. Always use extreme care when stepping into flooded areas. Submerged outlets or electrical cords can energize water, even from a distance.
  • Boats or other vehicles being used in high water can expose you to danger from power lines at their normal height. Be aware and stay away.
  • If water has risen above the electrical outlets, contact a licensed electrician before turning on the main circuit breaker.

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 Tropical Storm 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 mobilized 13,000+ mutual assistance resources, implemented enhanced staffing plans, suspended natural gas disconnections in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and is conducting pre-landfall emergency protocols.

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

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

Which states are affected by CenterPoint Energy's (CNP) Hurricane Rafael preparations?

CenterPoint Energy's Hurricane Rafael preparations affect their service areas in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

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