CenterPoint Energy actively monitoring severe weather risk as another round of storms targets southwestern Indiana
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.
CenterPoint Energy expands Smart Cycle program for Indiana Electric customers
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
Press conference to be held following Trustees public vote for USI’s fifth President
WHO: Christine Keck, Chair of the USI Board of Trustees; Christina Ryan, Chair of the USI Presidential Search and First Vice Chair of the USI Board of Trustees; USI’s fifth President; members of the USI Board of Trustees
WHAT: The University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees will hold a special session for discussion of and a public vote for the fifth President of the University of Southern Indiana. A press conference will follow with Christina Ryan, Chair of the USI Presidential Search and First Vice Chair of the USI Board of Trustees, and USI’s fifth President
WHEN: The special session of the USI Board of Trustees will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 in the Great Hall, located on the lower level of the Griffin Center on the USI campus.
A press conference will be held immediately following in Meeting Room A/B of the Griffin Center, located on the main level.
WHERE: The public meeting and vote will take place in the Great Hall of the Griffin Center, located on the lower level. A mult box will be available for this portion of the public event. Please arrive early to get set up. The meeting will begin promptly at 2 p.m.
The press conference will take place in Meeting Room A/B of the Griffin Center, located on the main level. There will be no mult box for this portion of the event. However, a podium will be available for microphones or recording devices.
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56 family farms honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award at the Indiana Statehouse
INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2025) – At the Indiana Statehouse Friday, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.
“Agriculture has always served as the foundation of Indiana’s economy and way of life,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It was a privilege to celebrate these longstanding farming families for their enduring legacies during today’s ceremony.”
To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.
Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,200 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Often, a Hoosier Homestead farm is easily recognized because most recipients proudly display their awarded sign on their property.
“Each year I look forward to honoring these long-standing farming families during the Hoosier Homestead ceremonies,” said Lamb. “I know firsthand the amount of hard work, and grit required to ensure a family remains in the same family for 100 years or more. I commend each of this year’s awardees and thank them for their dedication to Indiana and our agriculture industry.”
During the ceremonies, two Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership: the Hamilton Batterton family and the McCoy family, both from Decatur County.
Heritage Sponsors Free Adoption Day at Warrick Humane Society!
Heritage Sponsors Free Adoption Day at Warrick Humane Society!
Newburgh, Indiana – Warrick Humane Society is excited to partner with Heritage Federal Credit Union to host a Free Adoption Day on Wednesday, April 3rd, from 12 PM – 7 PM. For one day only, all adoption fees will be waived to help our animals find loving homes. The event is taking place at Warrick Humane Society’s location, 5722 S Vann Rd, Newburgh IN, 47630.
Event Details:
● Fee-Waived Adoptions: All available animals are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed. All dogs are microchipped, and cats can be microchipped for a fee of $12.
● First-Come, First-Served: No holds will be placed, and adoptions must be completed the same day.
● Make a Difference: By adopting, you are giving a shelter pet the second chance they deserve and opening up a kennel space for us to save another life.
As a no-kill, non-profit shelter, Warrick Humane Society relies on community support to continue its mission.
Those unable to adopt can still help by donating, volunteering, or sharing this event. Join us on April 3rd and help an animal find the home they have been waiting for.
Evansville Thunderbolts and PBR bring Country Music Star and member of 3 Doors Down Justin Biltonen to Friday’s April 4th Country Night Game
Evansville, IN – Country Artist and Member of 3 Doors Down Justin Biltonen is officially coming to the Ford Center for Evansville Thunderbolts Country Night the Friday, April 4th! Justin will be performing his country songs during the intermissions on the ice! The Evansville Thunderbolts will be hosting a Meet and Greet/ Autograph session for fans to get the chance to meet him! Don’t miss the chance to meet champion Bullriders Dakota Warnken & Brandon Ferguson!
Buy a ticket to PBR & Country Night for a chance to win a custom 3 Doors Down Evansville Thunderbolts jersey signed by Justin Biltonen! Buy a ticket to PBR on 5/24 for $15 Friday night with purchase of your hockey Country Night ticket! $3 Bud Light, Bud, Busch Light, and Mich Ultra all game long!!
Doors Open: 6:15 PM
Puck Drops: 7:00 PM