#USA #Houston #CenterPoint Energy #Invest 93L #Tropical Disturbance

CenterPoint Energy Closely Observes Invest 93L in the Gulf

CenterPoint Energy's specialized Meteorology, Emergency Planning and Response, and Electric Operations teams are currently keeping a close eye on a low-pressure system off the east coast of Florida, which has been labeled as Invest 93L. As this system progresses toward the Gulf, weather forecasts and models suggest that while it is expected to remain relatively weak, there is potential for it to develop into a tropical depression or a low-end tropical storm by the end of the week, particularly as it approaches Central or Western Louisiana.

Current Predictions and Impact on Greater Houston

The latest predictions indicate that the storm may not significantly impact CenterPoint’s Greater Houston service area, aside from forecasted rain on Friday and Saturday. Residents are advised to stay informed, particularly regarding localized flash flooding that could occur due to heavy rainfall. Matt Lanza, CenterPoint's Meteorology Manager, stated, "We project a low likelihood that this storm could evolve into anything beyond a minor depression, yet our teams are fully prepared to take action if necessary."

Preparation Measures Implemented by CenterPoint

In anticipatory action during summer storm season, CenterPoint Energy is enacting a well-outlined storm readiness plan. Key preparation measures include:

• - Mobilization of Vegetation Management Teams: Workers will be deployed to clear hazardous trees and vegetation near power lines before the storm's arrival, aimed at preventing outages in the area.
• - Communication with Officials: Regular updates are being provided to federal, state, county, and local officials regarding pre-storm activities and readiness efforts.
• - Outreach to Critical Care Customers: CenterPoint is making direct contact with Critical Care Residential and Chronic Condition Residential customers about their electricity needs.
• - Safety and Preparedness Information: The company is committed to sharing safety information with its customers through various communication platforms, including social media and direct messaging.
• - Enhanced Call Center Capabilities: Additional staff will be on hand to manage increased inquiry volume during the storm.

Resiliency Initiatives Since Hurricane Beryl

Following Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint has taken essential steps to enhance the resiliency of its infrastructure in the Greater Houston area under the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). Some of these efforts include:

• - Installation of over 26,000 durable, storm-resistant poles to better withstand extreme weather.
• - Undergrounding of more than 400 miles of power lines to bolster reliability.
• - Addition of over 5,150 intelligent grid-switching devices to minimize outage impacts and speed up restoration.
• - Clearing of more than 6,000 miles of high-risk vegetation near power lines to further prevent outages.
• - Deployment of 100 weather monitoring stations across the service area to enhance situational awareness in preparation for storms.

Additionally, CenterPoint donated backup generators to critical facilities and has launched a state-of-the-art Outage Tracker that offers real-time information on outages and restoration efforts.

Staying Informed and Safe

CenterPoint urges its customers to stay prepared and informed as weather developments unfold. Customers are encouraged to sign up for the company's Power Alert Service to receive timely updates regarding outages and restoration via phone, text, or email. For those who sign up, the service allows for the addition of up to five alternative contact methods, ensuring that family and friends can stay informed on crucial outages.

To assist customers further, the new cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in both English and Spanish, is optimized for storm traffic and is accessible on mobile devices, enabling users to view outage data by county, city, and zip code.

For ongoing updates, customers are encouraged to follow CenterPoint on social media and visit their Action Center web page. With safety in mind, comprehensive storm-related safety tips are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

About CenterPoint Energy

Headquartered in Houston, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. serves around 7 million metered customers across four states: Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas, making it a significant player in the electricity and natural gas delivery sector. The company boasts approximately $44 billion in assets and has a workforce of about 8,300, bringing over 150 years of service experience to its customers.