CenterPoint Energy Resilience Shines Through Winter Storm Enzo's Fury

Resilience Amid Winter Storm Enzo

In the aftermath of the unprecedented Winter Storm Enzo, which struck the Greater Houston area, CenterPoint Energy has emerged as a beacon of resilience. On January 22, 2025, the company announced that roughly 99% of its customers enjoyed uninterrupted electric service through extreme winter conditions. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the thorough preparation and response of CenterPoint Energy and its dedicated workforce.

During the storm's peak, CenterPoint engaged its Emergency Operations Center to ensure optimal readiness. Almost 3,000 frontline electric workers and local contractors were strategically positioned at three staging areas around Greater Houston, ready to respond to any disruptions quickly and safely. Despite the chaos brought on by the storm, the commitment of the CenterPoint teams ensured that most customers remained powered throughout the ordeal.

A Successful Recovery

As the storm subsided, the company took immediate steps to restore service to those few customers who did experience outages. CenterPoint activated 1,200 mutual aid workers, who were brought in from other states to support their efforts. Following the storm's aftermath, these crews have returned home, reflecting the strong collaboration and mutual support within the utility industry during crises.

Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business, expressed gratitude to customers for cooperating with travel advisories issued throughout the storm. Their collective efforts enabled restoration crews to operate more effectively. Carroll also commended the mutual assistance personnel who traveled across state lines to assist during Winter Storm Enzo, highlighting the spirit of solidarity during challenging times.

Key Preparedness Actions

CenterPoint Energy's proactive measures demonstrated its commitment to service continuity. The organization undertook several essential actions prior to Winter Storm Enzo, including:

1. Mobilization of Workforce: Approximately 3,000 skilled workers were deployed across the Greater Houston region to address potential outages.
2. Temporary Generation Units: Four portable generation units were used to supply power to warming centers, ensuring that vulnerable community members received adequate shelter amid freezing temperatures.
3. Safety Communications: The company maintained an open line of communication with its customers throughout the storm, disseminating vital safety information across various platforms, including social media, to keep the public informed.
4. Critical Care Outreach: CenterPoint proactively contacted its Critical Care residential customers to ensure their needs were met during the severe weather.

Staying Connected

To keep customers informed during future incidents, CenterPoint encourages all electric users to enroll in the Power Alert Service®. This service offers timely updates on outages, estimated restoration times, and alerts via phone, text, or email. Additionally, customers are urged to utilize the newly launched cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in both English and Spanish, which provides real-time updates regarding outages based on geographical data.

For ongoing updates regarding CenterPoint's operational status during severe weather and invaluable safety tips, customers can visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter or follow their social media account @CenterPoint_TX. Furthermore, for the latest weather forecasts pertinent to the Greater Houston area, updates can be sourced from the National Weather Service at weather.gov/hgx.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CenterPoint Energy's adept handling of the challenges posed by Winter Storm Enzo showcases not only their operational efficiency but also their commitment to their customers’ well-being. As they transition back to standard operations, the company's readiness will continue to strengthen the resilience of the electric and natural gas systems they oversee in Texas, ensuring that they remain prepared for future challenges.