## CenterPoint Energy Mobilizes Extensive Resources for Approaching Winter Storm
**HOUSTON, TX – January 24, 2026** – As Southeast Texas braces for its first significant winter weather event of the season, CenterPoint Energy is implementing comprehensive preparedness and response measures to safeguard its customers and communities. The company has activated its Emergency Operations Center and strategically positioned a substantial workforce and critical equipment across the Greater Houston area, anticipating potential impacts from freezing temperatures, high winds, and accumulating ice.
With weather forecasts indicating a northward shift in the storm’s trajectory, CenterPoint Energy has concentrated approximately 3,300 personnel, including skilled line workers, vegetation management specialists, and contracted crews, at two staging sites in the northeastern Greater Houston region. This deployment ensures a robust capacity for rapid response and restoration efforts, with 100% of these resources slated to be in place by Saturday noon. Complementing this, over 700 natural gas workers and additional contractors are on standby to address any gas-related emergencies or service interruptions.
“Our preparedness strategy is fundamentally driven by a commitment to our customers and the communities we serve,” stated Nathan Brownell, Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery. “We have proactively deployed our personnel, equipment, and resources to effectively manage the anticipated severe weather. Based on evolving forecasts, we’ve strategically realigned resources to north Houston staging areas, which are projected to bear the brunt of the storm’s impact. This meticulous planning underscores our dedication to a swift and safe restoration process for all affected customers. We strongly advise the public to stay informed, activate their emergency plans, and crucially, to avoid unnecessary travel on roads and highways from Saturday night through Monday.”
The company’s Emergency Operations Center has been fully operational since Wednesday, staffed by approximately 200 personnel who are meticulously executing the company’s cold weather action plans throughout the storm’s duration.
**Safety First: Downed Lines and Wires**
CenterPoint Energy is issuing a critical safety reminder to the public: always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Individuals should maintain a minimum distance of 35 feet from any downed lines or wires, as well as from any objects, such as tree limbs or vehicles, that are in contact with them. Immediate reporting of downed lines to CenterPoint Energy is paramount.
**Proactive Winterization for Electric and Gas Infrastructure**
CenterPoint Energy’s extensive winter readiness initiatives encompass both its electric and gas operations:
* **Natural Gas Preparedness:**
* Seventeen compressed natural gas (CNG) trailers have been strategically positioned to bolster customer supply if necessary, with an additional trailer deployed to enhance preparedness.
* Over 700 frontline natural gas workers are stationed to provide immediate and safe response to gas emergencies and service disruptions around the clock.
* Preventative measures include the inspection of nearly 200 natural gas regulator stations and the installation of heaters on critical equipment to mitigate ice damage.
* **Electric Infrastructure Readiness:**
* Extensive electric restoration equipment has been pre-staged, including over 9,200 distribution poles, 11,500 transformers, and 100,000 cable splices.
* The company’s Emergency Operations Center is actively coordinating response and restoration efforts.
* Thorough inspections and testing of all 270 electric substations have been completed.
* Enhanced tree trimming and vegetation management programs are in place to minimize potential damage from icy precipitation.
* Continuous monitoring of over 100 weather stations across the Greater Houston area provides real-time situational awareness to inform storm preparation strategies.
* Close coordination with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) ensures alignment on statewide energy needs and grid stability.
* Proactive customer communication strategies are in effect, including direct outreach to critical care customers via email, phone, and text, to ensure they are informed and prepared.
* Over 20 emergency backup generators have been donated and installed at key locations throughout Greater Houston to bolster local emergency response capabilities.
* In 2025, the company invested over 19,000 hours in comprehensive emergency training for hundreds of operational, emergency response personnel, and contractors, further strengthening severe weather preparedness and response protocols.
**Stay Informed with Power Alert Service®**
CenterPoint electric customers are strongly encouraged to enroll in the company’s Power Alert Service®. This service provides timely updates on winter storm-related outages, estimated restoration times, and customer-specific restoration progress via phone calls, text messages, or emails.
**Customer Safety and Preparedness Resources**
CenterPoint Energy urges all customers to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure their safety during severe winter weather. Detailed storm safety tips, available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
Customers can also monitor power outages in real-time through CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker, accessible in English and Spanish. This mobile-friendly tool is designed to handle high traffic volumes during storms and provides outage information by county, city, and zip code, with accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.
For the latest updates, follow CenterPoint Energy on X and visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
**About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.**
As the sole investor-owned electric and natural gas utility headquartered in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a significant energy delivery company. Its operations span electric transmission and distribution, power generation, and natural gas distribution, serving over 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. As of September 30, 2025, the company’s assets were valued at approximately $45 billion. With a workforce of roughly 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies boast a rich history of over 150 years in the energy sector. Further information is available at CenterPointEnergy.com.
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