HOUSTON — CenterPoint Energy supported Houston and surrounding communities as they geared up for severe weather this National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which was May 5 to 11.
With the start of hurricane season less than a month away, CenterPoint Energy urged customers to have an emergency plan — especially if they depend on electricity for life-sustaining equipment. By taking proactive measures to prepare for extreme weather events, customers can stay safe, minimize risks and navigate the season with resilience and readiness.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
- Create a hurricane preparedness kit that includes essential items such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit and any necessary medications. Don’t forget to have a battery-powered radio and a portable charger for your mobile devices.
- Develop an emergency plan and discuss it with all household members. Designate a safe meeting place, communicate evacuation routes and make sure everyone understands the plan.
- Stay informed of weather conditions and warnings or advisories issued by local authorities by paying close attention to announcements from local news outlets for important information regarding ongoing conditions and recovery efforts. Sign up for CenterPoint Energy’s Power Alert Service at CenterPointEnergy.com/PowerAlertService and check CenterPointEnergy.com/OutageTracker for outage updates.
In the event of a severe weather event, remember:
- 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 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 CenterPoint Energy workers.
- Do not turn off your natural gas at the meter; your natural gas meter should be left on to maintain proper pressure in the natural gas piping within the house and to prevent water from entering the lines should flooding occur.
- If you wish to discontinue natural gas service, the natural gas can be turned off at each appliance. Later, to restore natural gas service to an appliance, you may follow the written instructions located on the appliance for re-lighting. If you are unable to locate the instructions or don’t feel comfortable re-lighting, call a qualified plumber/technician.
- Check your weatherhead, which connects the overhead power line to your home or business. Any weatherhead problems will need to be repaired by an electrician prior to service being restored.
During post-storm recovery and restoration efforts, remember:
- Stay away from low-hanging, downed power lines or lines that could be submerged in standing water. Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized. Report any low-hanging or downed power lines 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 waters 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.
- If you smell natural gas — which has a distinctive, strong odor, often compared to rotten eggs or sulfur — leave the area immediately on foot, and tell others to leave, too. Do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator. Once safely away from the area, call 911 and CenterPoint Energy, and we will send a trained service technician immediately.
- If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or a natural gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances prior to requesting a service reconnection.
- While conducting clean-up, call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on your property.
- Be cautious around work crews and give them plenty of room to safely assess damage and make repairs.
For additional information and resources on hurricane preparedness, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter.
Source: CenterPoint Energy
