CenterPoint Energy provides an update on restoration efforts
- New rounds of severe weather overnight caused additional outages and damage to the company’s electric system
- Additional crews have arrived to assist with restoration efforts; more than 65 crews will be working around the clock to assess damages and make repairs
- The risk for severe weather continues through the afternoon and evening
Evansville – July 1, 2023 – CenterPoint Energy has issued the following update as restoration efforts continue in southwestern Indiana:
Another line of strong storms overnight caused further damage to CenterPoint Energy’s southwestern Indiana service territory. Heavy rain, lightning, and downed trees slowed the progress of repairs and caused additional outages as storms moved through the region overnight.
Employees and mutual assistance resources were able to restore all but 1,800 customers on Friday night from the original set of storms that moved through the area on Thursday. However, additional severe weather overnight caused more damage and outages peaked at approximately 8,000 customers without power. As of 2 pm CT, there were approximately 2,350 electric customers remaining without electric service. Due to the extent of damages sustained and potential additional weather events forecasted for this evening, the outage count is likely to continue to fluctuate and other outages could occur to allow for safe repairs to our system.
“Our crews are working around the clock to restore power as safely and quickly as possible to our impacted customers, however, the line of strong storms overnight and today led to additional challenges for our crews and may slow our progress,†said Richard Leger, Senior Vice President, Indiana Electric at CenterPoint Energy. “We appreciate our customers’ continued patience, we are working through tackling widespread damage to poles, cross arms, downed wires, and trees during ongoing increased weather events in the region.â€
Throughout the day, CenterPoint Energy will have more than 65 crews, including mutual assistance resources, comprised of damage assessment, linemen, apprentices, and vegetation management working to assess and restore power to impacted customers.
CenterPoint Energy reminds customers if they have experienced damage to the Weatherhead – the point of entry from the service drop to the home – a licensed electrician will need to make necessary repairs before power can be safely restored.
CenterPoint Energy reminds customers to remain safe and remember:
- Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines, wires and damaged electric utility equipment and report them to CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376. Be especially mindful of any downed lines that could be hidden and treat all downed lines as if they are energized.
- Assume all lines could be energized and be aware of objects near lines. Do not touch or move objects that are near any downed lines.
- Flood waters can be hazardous. Always use extreme care when stepping into flooded areas.
- Be cautious around work crews and give them the distance to assess damages and make repairs.
- If your power is out, don’t open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly.
- If you smell natural gas, get to a safe area and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376.
For the latest information on power outages*:
- Report outages by texting the word “OUT†to 83212.
- Sign up for Power Alert Service for information on individual outages.
- Follow @CNPAlerts Indiana and visit our outage map for general outage locations; and
- Visit CenterPoint Energy’s Electric Outage Center for electric safety tips and other resources.
*Please note: Restoration times may be delayed as crews continue to assess damages due to ongoing severe weather.
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