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CenterPoint continues restoration process, tips for getting ready for power
By OBSERVER STAFF REPORTS
Last night, CenterPoint Energy announced that power has been restored to 750,000 of its customers after three days since Hurricane Ike has passed. That number equates to 38 percent of its 2.26 million customers, according a release by the energy company.
As of 9:28 p.m., CenterPoint Energy reported that it reached another restoration milestone having restored power to 750,000 customers within three full days. The company now reports that 38 percent of its 2.26 million customers have power.
“Our crews, working with the thousands of mutual assistance crews who have joined us from across North America, are making outstanding progress,” Kenny Mercado, senior vice president of Electric Operations, said in a release. “We will continue, however, to work around the clock until everyone’s power is restored.”
CenterPoint is asking customers no to call the company switchboard to report outages. The company can pinpoint exact losses of power through its analysis system.
CenterPoint Energy dispatchers know when service outages occur, the locations of outages and the number of customers affected. For emergency issues only, call CenterPoint Energy’s Customer Service at 713-207-2222.
While people are waiting for power to return, here are some tips from CenterPoint on how to get a home ready to receive power:
Protect your sensitive equipment and air conditioning units
Before power is restored unplug all sensitive equipment, such as computers and plasma televisions, and turn off your air conditioner. When power is restored to a large number of customers at once, large appliances can cause a short-term overload which may damage electric appliances. Leave one light on. Once electric service is restored, plug in small appliances, then large appliances and finally turn on your air conditioning.
Inspect your electric meter
CenterPoint Energy will make repairs to the electric delivery system up to the point where it connects to a home or business. However, the customer is responsible for repairs if there is damage to the meter enclosure or weatherhead – the point where the line enters the home through a pipe. If the meter enclosure or weatherhead is damaged, our crews will not be able to re-establish service. If in doubt, homeowners should contact a licensed electrician to make an inspection and any necessary repairs.
Stay Safe
Stay away from downed or low-hanging power lines and treat them as if they’re energized. Do not run generators in homes or in garages. Place portable generators in a well-ventilated area. Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.
Call before you dig
Digging into buried utility lines can cause serious injury or death. Before performing digging or reinstalling fences during clean-up, customers need to request that underground utility lines are marked. For your safety, you are required by law to call 811. This service will connect you with the state one call center, which will alert participating utility companies such as electric, gas, cable and phone about the planned digging so they can mark the appropriate location of their underground lines if necessary. Please be prepared for a longer than usual wait time during the next few weeks and do not dig until the lines have been marked.
As of 9:28 p.m., CenterPoint Energy reported that it reached another restoration milestone having restored power to 750,000 customers within three full days. The company now reports that 38 percent of its 2.26 million customers have power.
“Our crews, working with the thousands of mutual assistance crews who have joined us from across North America, are making outstanding progress,” Kenny Mercado, senior vice president of Electric Operations, said in a release. “We will continue, however, to work around the clock until everyone’s power is restored.”
CenterPoint is asking customers no to call the company switchboard to report outages. The company can pinpoint exact losses of power through its analysis system.
CenterPoint Energy dispatchers know when service outages occur, the locations of outages and the number of customers affected. For emergency issues only, call CenterPoint Energy’s Customer Service at 713-207-2222.
While people are waiting for power to return, here are some tips from CenterPoint on how to get a home ready to receive power:
Protect your sensitive equipment and air conditioning units
Before power is restored unplug all sensitive equipment, such as computers and plasma televisions, and turn off your air conditioner. When power is restored to a large number of customers at once, large appliances can cause a short-term overload which may damage electric appliances. Leave one light on. Once electric service is restored, plug in small appliances, then large appliances and finally turn on your air conditioning.
Inspect your electric meter
CenterPoint Energy will make repairs to the electric delivery system up to the point where it connects to a home or business. However, the customer is responsible for repairs if there is damage to the meter enclosure or weatherhead – the point where the line enters the home through a pipe. If the meter enclosure or weatherhead is damaged, our crews will not be able to re-establish service. If in doubt, homeowners should contact a licensed electrician to make an inspection and any necessary repairs.
Stay Safe
Stay away from downed or low-hanging power lines and treat them as if they’re energized. Do not run generators in homes or in garages. Place portable generators in a well-ventilated area. Gasoline-powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly.
Call before you dig
Digging into buried utility lines can cause serious injury or death. Before performing digging or reinstalling fences during clean-up, customers need to request that underground utility lines are marked. For your safety, you are required by law to call 811. This service will connect you with the state one call center, which will alert participating utility companies such as electric, gas, cable and phone about the planned digging so they can mark the appropriate location of their underground lines if necessary. Please be prepared for a longer than usual wait time during the next few weeks and do not dig until the lines have been marked.
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