CenterPoint Energy mobilizes to respond to winter storm projected to impact the Greater Houston area
CenterPoint Energy is preparing for a significant winter storm expected to hit the Greater Houston area starting Monday evening. The company has secured 1,200 additional mutual aid workers arriving Monday and is establishing three staging sites for potential restoration efforts. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Southeast Texas from 6:00 p.m. Monday through 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, with forecasts predicting freezing precipitation and accumulation.
ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch for January 20-23 due to expected extreme cold weather, higher electrical demand, and potential lower reserves. CenterPoint has implemented its cold weather readiness plan, including infrastructure winterization and coordination with emergency responders. The company has also launched its Winter Energy Guide, providing safety tips and resources for customers during the winter heating season.
CenterPoint Energy si sta preparando per una significativa tempesta invernale che dovrebbe colpire l'area metropolitana di Houston a partire dalla sera di lunedì. L'azienda ha assicurato 1.200 lavoratori di aiuto reciproco che arriveranno lunedì e sta allestendo tre siti di stoccaggio per potenziali interventi di ripristino. Il Servizio Meteorologico Nazionale ha emesso un avviso di tempesta invernale per il sud-est del Texas dalle 18:00 di lunedì alle 18:00 di martedì, con previsioni che indicano precipitazioni congelate e accumulo.
ERCOT ha emesso un avviso meteorologico per il 20-23 gennaio a causa di un previsto clima estremamente freddo, maggiore richiesta elettrica e potenziali riserve inferiori. CenterPoint ha attuato il suo piano di prontezza per il freddo, che include la preparazione delle infrastrutture invernali e il coordinamento con i soccorritori d'emergenza. L'azienda ha anche lanciato la sua Guida Energetica Invernale, fornendo consigli sulla sicurezza e risorse per i clienti durante la stagione di riscaldamento invernale.
CenterPoint Energy se está preparando para una importante tormenta invernal que se espera que afecte el área metropolitana de Houston a partir del lunes por la noche. La empresa ha asegurado 1,200 trabajadores adicionales de ayuda mutua que llegarán el lunes y está estableciendo tres sitios de preparación para posibles esfuerzos de restauración. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ha emitido una advertencia de tormenta invernal para el sureste de Texas desde las 6:00 p.m. del lunes hasta las 6:00 p.m. del martes, con pronósticos que predicen precipitación helada y acumulación.
ERCOT ha emitido una advertencia meteorológica para el 20-23 de enero debido a la esperada ola de frío extremo, mayor demanda eléctrica y posibles reservas más bajas. CenterPoint ha implementado su plan de preparación para el frío, incluida la invernización de infraestructuras y la coordinación con los servicios de emergencia. La empresa también ha lanzado su Guía Energética de Invierno, que proporciona consejos de seguridad y recursos para los clientes durante la temporada de calefacción invernal.
CenterPoint Energy는 월요일 저녁부터 시작될 것으로 예상되는 중대한 겨울 폭풍을 대비하고 있습니다. 이 회사는 월요일에 도착하는 1,200명의 추가 상호 지원 작업자를 확보하고 있으며, 잠재적인 복구 작업을 위한 세 개의 준비 장소를 설정하고 있습니다. 미국 기상청은 월요일 오후 6시부터 화요일 오후 6시까지 동남부 텍사스에 겨울 폭풍 주의를 발령했으며, 얼음 형태의 강수 및 축적이 예측되고 있습니다.
ERCOT는 1월 20일부터 23일까지 예상되는 극심한 한파, 증가하는 전기 수요 및 잠재적인 낮은 예비 공급으로 인해 기상 주의를 발령했습니다. CenterPoint는 인프라의 겨울 준비 및 응급 구조대와의 조정을 포함한 한파 대비 계획을 시행했습니다. 이 회사는 또한 겨울 난방 시즌 동안 고객을 위한 안전 팁과 자원을 제공하는 겨울 에너지 가이드를 출시했습니다.
CenterPoint Energy se prépare à une tempête hivernale significative qui devrait frapper la grande région de Houston à partir de lundi soir. L'entreprise a sécurisé 1 200 travailleurs d'aide mutuelle supplémentaires qui arriveront lundi et met en place trois sites de préparation pour d'éventuels efforts de restauration. Le Service météorologique national a émis une alerte de tempête hivernale pour le sud-est du Texas de 18h00 lundi à 18h00 mardi, avec des prévisions annonçant des précipitations gelées et des accumulations.
ERCOT a émis un avis de temps pour la période du 20 au 23 janvier en raison d'un froid extrême attendu, d'une demande électrique accrue et de réserves potentiellement plus faibles. CenterPoint a mis en œuvre son plan de préparation au froid, y compris l'hivernage des infrastructures et la coordination avec les services d'urgence. L'entreprise a également lancé son guide énergétique pour l'hiver, fournissant des conseils de sécurité et des ressources pour les clients pendant la saison de chauffage hivernal.
CenterPoint Energy bereitet sich auf einen erheblichen Wintersturm vor, der voraussichtlich am Montagabend die Metropolregion Houston treffen wird. Das Unternehmen hat 1.200 zusätzliche Hilfsarbeiter gesichert, die am Montag ankommen, und richtet drei Stützpunkte für mögliche Wiederherstellungsarbeiten ein. Der nationale Wetterdienst hat eine Wintersturmwarnung für den Südosten Texas von Montag, 18:00 Uhr bis Dienstag, 18:00 Uhr ausgegeben, mit Vorhersagen für gefrierende Niederschläge und Akkumulation.
ERCOT hat eine Wetterwarnung für den Zeitraum vom 20. bis 23. Januar aufgrund erwarteter extrem kalter Temperaturen, höherer elektrischer Nachfrage und potenziell niedrigerer Reserven herausgegeben. CenterPoint hat seinen Notfallplan für kaltes Wetter umgesetzt, der die Wintervorbereitung der Infrastruktur und die Koordination mit Rettungsdiensten umfasst. Das Unternehmen hat auch seinen Winterenergie-Leitfaden gestartet, der Sicherheitstipps und Ressourcen für Kunden während der Wintersaison bietet.
- Proactive deployment of 1,200 additional workers shows strong emergency preparedness
- Implementation of comprehensive winter readiness infrastructure plan
- Strategic positioning of crews and staging sites for rapid response
- Potential service disruptions could impact revenue and customer satisfaction
- Increased operational costs due to emergency response measures
- Higher risk exposure due to extreme weather conditions
Insights
CenterPoint Energy's proactive response to the impending winter storm demonstrates robust operational preparedness. The mobilization of 1,200 additional mutual aid workers and establishment of three staging sites represents a significant resource deployment that should enhance service reliability during extreme weather conditions. The company's comprehensive approach, including infrastructure winterization and coordination with emergency responders, follows industry best practices for utility crisis management.
The timing of this preparation is critical, as the convergence of ERCOT's Weather Watch (Jan 20-23) with the National Weather Service's Winter Storm Watch signals potential grid stress. Historical precedent from previous Texas winter storms suggests these conditions could impact both infrastructure integrity and energy demand patterns. The pre-positioning of crews and establishment of multiple staging sites indicates CenterPoint is implementing lessons learned from past winter events.
From a risk management perspective, CenterPoint's preparatory measures represent a balanced approach to mitigating both operational and reputational risks. The company's transparent communication strategy, including the launch of the Winter Energy Guide and Power Alert Service®, helps manage customer expectations and reduces potential liability exposure. However, investors should note that severe weather events can still impact quarterly earnings through increased operational costs and potential infrastructure damage.
The coordination with ERCOT and implementation of cold weather mitigations across both electric and gas infrastructure demonstrates a dual-utility risk management strategy. While grid conditions are currently expected to be normal, the comprehensive preparation suggests CenterPoint is positioning itself to maintain service reliability even if conditions deteriorate, protecting both customer interests and shareholder value.
Forecasts converge on freezing precipitation and accumulation
Approximately 1,200 additional mutual aid workers will arrive by Monday
to support potential restoration efforts
National Weather Service issued Winter Storm Watch for the entire region
ERCOT Weather Watch issued for January 20 – 23 due to extreme cold weather across its region
CenterPoint customers urged to be weather alert and have a plan to stay safe and warm through freezing temperatures
Forecasts continue to align on a range of potential scenarios early next week across the
In preparation for the mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain anticipated to impact the region, the National Weather Service has now issued a Winter Storm Watch for
"Our CenterPoint teams have already executed numerous cold weather preparations from our winter readiness plan and we will continue to diligently monitor the weather and our systems as we stand up these staging sites and begin onboarding the approximately 1,200 mutual assistance workers who've answered the call to support potential restoration efforts. We have plans in place and are stationing crews across the communities we serve so our teams can handle any service issues safely and as quickly as possible. We urge our customers to stay weather alert, have an emergency plan in place and take steps now to prepare," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.
Cold weather preparations
The company has a cold weather action plan in place and has performed a series of proactive pre-winter preparedness actions to strengthen and winterize its infrastructure across
2025 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. To learn more, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ReadyforWinter.
Safety reminders
CenterPoint reminds customers to stay safe during and after winter storms:
- Downed power lines: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and report them to CenterPoint at 713-207-2222. Be especially mindful of downed lines that could be hidden and treat all downed lines as if they are energized.
- Work crew safety: Be cautious around work crews and give them plenty of room to safely assess damage and make repairs.
- Portable generators: Only use a portable generator in a well-ventilated area and never run it inside or in a garage to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) fumes, which can be deadly.
- Use space heaters safely: Make sure space heaters have an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
- Electric system safety: Never connect a portable electric generator directly to a building's electrical system during a power outage; electricity could back-feed into the power lines, potentially endangering CenterPoint workers.
- Preserving food during outages: Avoid opening freezers and refrigerators during outages to preserve food.
- Natural gas safety: Natural gas is odorized with a distinctive, strong odor, often compared to rotten eggs or sulfur. If a natural gas odor is detected inside a home or building, leave immediately on foot. Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones), or anything that could cause a spark. Once in a safe location, call both CenterPoint Energy and 911. Do not use email or the Internet to report the leak and never attempt to repair a natural gas leak yourself—leave all repairs to trained technicians. For leaks outside, leave the area on foot and move in an upwind direction away from the leak or vapor cloud to a location where the smell of gas is no longer present. Warn others to stay away from the leak and abandon any equipment being used in or near the area. Once in a safe location, call both CenterPoint Energy and 911 to report the leak.
- Know the signs of CO poisoning: Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If symptoms suggest CO poisoning, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
- Gas meter maintenance: Remove large icicles hanging over meter assemblies and appliance vents. Use a broom – not a shovel – to clear snow from the meter. If the gas meter is encased in ice, do not attempt to melt and/or chip the ice, as this could cause damage to the meter. Allow the ice to melt on its own.
- Call before digging: Call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on a property.
Electric customers encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service® and follow CenterPoint Texas X account
While CenterPoint continues to provide information around this weather event, including issuing preparedness communications to critical care customers, the company also encourages all electric customers to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive winter storm outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates by phone call, text or email.
Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the
For the latest weather information for the
For more information, contact
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com
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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy
FAQ
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