| Select from Electric and Natural Gas Hurricane Tips | |||
Electric Service
Pre-storm tips:
- Customers should plan to be without power for an extended amount of time following a hurricane landfall:
| Category 1 | 7-10 Days |
| Category 2 | 2-3 Weeks |
| Category 3 | 3-5 Weeks |
| Category 4 | 4-6 Weeks |
| Category 5 | 6-8 Weeks |
- If someone in your home depends on electricity for life-sustaining equipment, you need to make other arrangements.
- Turn off your electricity at the circuit breaker if you evacuate or expect flood water to approach your home.
- Unplug sensitive electrical appliances, such as your computer.
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Electric Service
Prepare for power outages:
- In the event of severe weather such as a hurricane, power outages are likely.
- For widespread power outages, CenterPoint Energy first restores service to public safety, health and welfare facilities and secures downed power lines. Next, repairs are made to major lines and fuses that restore power to greatest number of customers in least amount of time.
- Power restoration times can vary significantly, even in the same neighborhood.
- Make preparations to be without power for an extended time after a hurricane: for a category 1 storm, customers should plan to be without power for 7 to 10 days, a category 2 storm – 2 to 3 weeks, a category 3 storm – 3 to 5 weeks, a category 4 – 4 to 6 weeks and a category 5 storm – 6 to 8 weeks.
- If someone in your home depends on electricity for life-sustaining equipment, you need to make other arrangements.
- Turn off your electricity at the circuit breaker if you evacuate or expect flood water to approach your home.
- Unplug sensitive electrical appliances, such as your computer. Post-storm tips:
- Limit calls to CenterPoint Energy during the first few days to only true emergencies. We have technology in place that indicates locations of widespread power outages.
- The company’s first priority in restoring service is to key facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities. Then we repair those major lines and circuits that will restore power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest amount of time.
- Stay away from low-hanging or downed power lines. Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized. Report any low-hanging or downed power lines by calling 713-207-2222.
- Stay away from standing water – energized power lines could be submerged in the water.
- If you have evacuated and want to know if your home has power please do not call CenterPoint Energy in the first few days following the storm as we are busy handling emergencies. Instead, you can: call your answering machine to see if it picks up, call neighbors, monitor the news, check CenterPointEnergy.com for general outage information.
- If water has risen above the electrical outlets, contact a licensed electrician before turning on the main circuit breaker.
- Any submerged appliances or equipment will need to dry for at least one week and be checked by a qualified repair person prior to being turned on.
- Check the 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.
- Do not connect generators directly to wiring in a house or building without having a licensed electrician disconnect the wiring from CenterPoint Energy’s service. It can create a safety hazard for CenterPoint Energy’s linemen.
- Never run generators indoors or in a garage. Gasoline-powered generators can produce carbon monoxide, and the odorless fumes can be deadly.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Natural gas service
Pre-storm tips:
- CenterPoint Energy strongly advises customers NOT to turn off their gas at the meter. The gas meter should be left on to maintain proper pressure in the gas piping within the house and to prevent water from entering the lines should flooding occur.
- If a customer wishes to discontinue gas service, the gas can be turned off at each appliance. Later, to restore gas service to an appliance, it is only necessary to follow the written instructions located on the appliance for re-lighting. If unable to locate instructions, call a qualified plumber.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Natural gas service
- As you return to your home or business, please be alert for leaking gas. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately, and tell others to leave, too. Do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a cell phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator. Also, please do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off. Once safely away from the area, call CenterPoint Energy and we will send a trained service technician immediately.
- Customers are asked to know where their natural gas meter is located. As you are putting out debris for heavy trash pick-up, please make sure it is placed away from the meter. In some areas the meter may be located near the curb. Trash collectors are using mechanized equipment to pick up heavy debris, and if the debris is near a gas meter, the equipment could pull up the meter damaging it causing a potentially hazardous situation. If this does happen, please leave the area immediately and call CenterPoint Energy.
- If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or a gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances prior to requesting a service reconnection. (Don’t forget about outdoor appliances, such as pool heaters and gas grills.)
- Call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on your property while conducting clean-up.
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