Evansville, Ind. – April 1, 2025 – Following Sunday evening’s storms, CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring forecasts which call for another significant round of severe weather expected to impact southwestern Indiana beginning Wednesday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service, the approaching system may bring large hail, damaging winds, isolated tornadoes and several inches of rain. Prolonged rainfall through the weekend is expected to significantly increase the risk of flooding across the region.

CenterPoint’s Operations and Emergency Preparedness & Response teams are leading the company’s preparedness actions as they monitor conditions and review readiness plans for possible severe weather.

“We’ve been tracking this system since the weekend and the risk has continued to increase,” said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint’s Vice President, Indiana Electric. “Our teams are preparing to respond safely and quickly if severe weather leads to outages or storm-related damage.”

CenterPoint’s storm preparation efforts

As part of its preparations, CenterPoint is taking steps to enhance its readiness and support restoration efforts, including:

• Monitoring internal weather forecasts, along with reports from the National Weather Service and local weather outlets
• Taking inventory of materials and readying equipment to support potential system repairs
• Evaluating timing and initial plans for mobilizing crews and resources based on forecasts

CenterPoint will continue to monitor conditions and adjust response plans as weather activity develops throughout the week.

Understanding power restoration and potential repairs

As part of its proactive communication ahead of the storm, CenterPoint is reminding customers how power restoration is prioritized in the event of service interruptions due to severe weather. Restoration efforts begin with critical infrastructure, followed by repairs that restore service to the greatest number of customers before addressing individual outages.

Safety and preparedness tips

CenterPoint encourages customers to take steps to prepare for severe weather:

• Stay informed: Monitor local weather updates and alerts from the National Weather Service. Follow CenterPoint on Facebookand X (formerly Twitter) for updates.
  • Note: CenterPoint has launched an Indiana-specific account on X (formerly Twitter) with the latest local information. Please be sure to follow @CenterPoint_IN.
• Downed power line safety: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and report them by calling 800-227-1376.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Keep flashlights, batteries, water, medications and a battery-powered phone charger ready.

Important flood safety tips

With prolonged periods of rainfall expected through the weekend, CenterPoint is encouraging customers to be prepared for potential flooding and review important electric and natural gas safety tips.

Electric safety during flooding:

• If water appears likely to reach electrical outlets, power should be turned off at the breaker box—only if it can be done safely and without standing in water.
• 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 immediately to report it.
• Electrical appliances, including HVAC systems, that were submerged in water should be allowed to dry for at least one week and inspected by a qualified technician before use.

Natural gas safety before and after a flood:

• Before a flood: Natural gas should not be turned off at the meter. Keeping the meter on helps maintain proper pressure in gas piping and prevents water from entering the lines. If discontinuing service is necessary, gas should be turned off at each appliance.
• After a flood:
  • If a natural gas meter was underwater, CenterPoint should be contacted to schedule an inspection. The meter may require replacement.
  • Flooded natural gas appliances—such as furnaces, gas grills and gaslights—should be inspected by a qualified technician before operation.
  • If you smell natural gas, get to a safe area and call both 911 and CenterPoint at 800-227-1376.
  • While conducting clean-up, call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on your property.

Electric customers encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service^®

Electric customers are encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service^® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times (as available or determined,) and customer-specific restoration updates in the event of severe weather. With the option to receive updates via phone call, text or email, Power Alert Service® helps keep customers informed of restoration progress during an outage event.

Increased bill credits, extended program season offer more opportunities to save 

Evansville, Ind. – March 31, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy has expanded its Smart Cycle program for Indiana Electric customers, increasing bill credits and extending the program season to provide participants with more opportunities to save on their energy bills.  

Smart Cycle is a voluntary energy management program that helps reduce electricity demand during peak energy usage hours while keeping customers comfortable. When demand is high, smart thermostats owned by participating customers will automatically adjust by up to four degrees to help manage energy use. Before each event, homes are pre-cooled to maintain comfort and customers can override adjustments anytime through their thermostat or app. 

Increased bill credits and a longer program season 

With these updates, customers can now earn: 

·         A one-time $75 enrollment credit upon completing program registration 

·         A $7.50 bill credit each month from March through November—an increase from the previous $5 per month credit 

·         Up to $67.50 per year in total bill credits, adding up the $7.50 monthly credit across the nine-month season. Previously, the program was capped at $20 per year. 

“Smart Cycle provides an additional, easy way for customers to save energy and lower their bills,” said Natalie Hedde, CenterPoint Energy’s Vice President, Strategic Business Growth & Engagement. “With the expanded season and increased bill credits, customers can enroll and start earning savings automatically—all while helping manage energy demand during peak usage times. We thank our customers for their participation, which also assists in maintaining energy reliability for all customers in our southwestern Indiana region.” 

Additional ways to save energy 

Smart Cycle is just one of the various energy efficiency programs, tools and tips that help customers manage energy costs year-round. Simple steps customers can take to reduce energy use and stay comfortable as the weather warms up include: 

·         Closing blinds and curtains to block direct sunlight 

·         Using ceiling fans to improve air circulation and help rooms feel cooler, and 

·         Sealing doors and windows to prevent warm air from entering and cool air from escaping