Final Winter Storm Enzo Update: More than 99 percent of CenterPoint Energy customers maintained power through extreme winter weather; Company deactivates emergency operations center

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) successfully maintained power for over 99% of its Greater Houston area customers during Winter Storm Enzo, demonstrating strong operational resilience. The company mobilized approximately 3,000 frontline electric workers, including 1,200 mutual aid workers who were later released as conditions improved.

Key actions included deploying four temporary generation units to local warming centers, conducting outreach to critical care customers, and maintaining consistent customer communication through multiple channels. As of noon, the company deactivated its Emergency Operations Center and returned to normal operations.

The company's preparedness measures and quick response to scattered outages across its 12-county service area helped minimize storm impacts. CenterPoint continues to provide customers access to its Power Alert Service® and cloud-based Outage Tracker for real-time updates and service information.

Positive

• 99% of customers maintained power during extreme weather conditions
• Successfully mobilized 3,000 frontline workers for emergency response
• Effective emergency preparedness demonstrated through minimal service disruption
• Enhanced customer communication systems and tracking tools in place

Negative

• None.

CenterPoint crews and contractors continue working to restore the remaining customers out

As of noon today, CenterPoint Energy deactivated its Emergency Operations Center and returned to normal business operations

Company urges customers to heed local officials' warnings to stay off roads when possible, to help prevent potential accidents and outages

HOUSTON, Jan. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the historic Winter Storm Enzo and an overnight hard freeze, CenterPoint Energy shared Wednesday that approximately 99 percent of its Greater Houston area customers had maintained normal electric service throughout the duration of the extreme winter weather event. As part of its storm response, CenterPoint crews responded safely and quickly to scattered outages that occurred across its 12-county service area, restoring power to those small number of impacted customers. Last night, the company released the 1,200 mutual aid workers it had brought in to prepare for Winter Storm Enzo. 

Given the status of both the electric and natural gas systems across its Texas service areas, CenterPoint has returned to normal operations and deactivated its Emergency Operations Center as of noon today.

"With Winter Storm Enzo now behind us, we want to again thank all our customers for staying off the roads and allowing our dedicated crews to respond safely and effectively when scattered outages occurred. We're also grateful to those crew members who worked in extreme conditions to provide our customers the service they expect and deserve. We would also like to thank the 1,200 mutual assistance personnel that traveled from other states to help us prepare. The actions we took to get ready for this winter storm season helped mitigate the impacts of Enzo on our customers, and our entire CenterPoint team remains committed to further strengthening the resiliency of our system," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.

Key Actions: CenterPoint Response to Winter Storm Enzo 
As part of its planning and response to Winter Storm Enzo, CenterPoint took the following actions to prepare for possible storm-related outages, including:

• Marshaled approximately 3,000 frontline electric workers: CenterPoint workers and local contractors were positioned at three staging areas across the Greater Houston area and responded quickly and safely to impacts of the winter storm. On Tuesday, CenterPoint released 1,200 mutual aid workers to their home states.
  
  
• Provided temporary generation to warming centers: Deployed four small temporary generation units to provide power to local warming centers amid sub-freezing temperatures.
  
  
• Kept customers informed: Shared safety and preparedness information and resources with CenterPoint customers through direct outreach, press briefings, social media and other platforms.
  
  
• Conducted outreach to critical care customers: Reached out to identified Critical Care Residential and Chronic Condition Residential electric customers by email, phone and/or text.

Important Ways for Electric Customers to Stay Connected to CenterPoint
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 with CenterPoint's new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in English and Spanish, which allows customers to see outages by county, city and zip code. 

In addition, customers can get the latest information on CenterPoint's preparedness and response efforts, view important safety tips and access the company's 2025 Winter Energy Guide by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter. Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the Greater Houston area and across Texas. 

For the latest weather information for the Greater Houston area, see updates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Houston/Galveston at weather.gov/hgx.

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

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

FAQ

How many CenterPoint Energy (CNP) customers maintained power during Winter Storm Enzo?

More than 99% of CenterPoint Energy customers in the Greater Houston area maintained normal electric service throughout Winter Storm Enzo.

How many workers did CenterPoint Energy (CNP) deploy for Winter Storm Enzo response?

CenterPoint Energy deployed approximately 3,000 frontline electric workers, including 1,200 mutual aid workers from other states.

What emergency measures did CenterPoint Energy (CNP) implement during Winter Storm Enzo?

CenterPoint Energy deployed temporary generation units to warming centers, positioned workers at three staging areas, conducted outreach to critical care customers, and maintained continuous customer communication.

When did CenterPoint Energy (CNP) deactivate its Emergency Operations Center after Storm Enzo?

CenterPoint Energy deactivated its Emergency Operations Center and returned to normal business operations as of noon on January 22, 2025.

What customer communication tools does CenterPoint Energy (CNP) provide for outage updates?

CenterPoint Energy offers the Power Alert Service® for outage notifications and a cloud-based Outage Tracker available in English and Spanish.