The National Weather Service predicts that severe storms will affect the entire Evansville area on Friday evening and Friday night.

Part of the concern is the timing of the storms, likely between 11 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Saturday. There’s also a second round of severe weather possible midday Saturday.

The primary hazards will be widespread damaging winds and tornadoes, according to the weather service. The potential exists for what the agency classifies as “significant severe weather,” including winds of 70-75 mph (hurricane-force winds) and tornadoes that rate as EF2 or higher.

CenterPoint Energy actively monitoring severe weather threat forecasted for southwestern Indiana

CenterPoint Energy is closely monitoring weather forecasts and preparing for potential storm impacts in southwestern Indiana. According to the National Weather Service, there is potential for severe weather beginning Friday evening as a cold front moves through. The forecast is calling for damaging wind gusts, severe thunderstorms and a chance of isolated tornadoes.

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

“We are closely watching the evolving forecast and taking the necessary precautions to be ready for any potential outages or impacts,” said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint’s Vice President, Indiana Electric. “Our teams are focused on preparing our operations so that we can respond safely and as quickly as possible if conditions warrant action.”

CenterPoint’s storm preparation efforts

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

• Monitoring internal weather analysis, 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.

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 Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for updates.
• 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.

Electric customers encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service ®

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.

Customers can get storm-related electric, natural gas and flooding safety tips at CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter.=