CenterPoint Outage: 178K+ Houston Residents Without Power

More than 178,000 Houston-area residents woke up without power Saturday morning as severe thunderstorms battered the region, leaving utility companies scrambling to restore service amid tornado warnings and flood watches.

Mass Outages Strike Houston Area

As of 5:30 a.m. local time Saturday, CenterPoint Energy reported approximately 157,520 customers without power, while Entergy tallied an additional 20,670 outages. The numbers fluctuated throughout the early morning hours, with CenterPoint's count briefly dropping to 149,680 before climbing again as storms continued to move through the region.

The outages come after a line of powerful storms swept across southeast Texas, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous weather conditions. According to FOX 26 Houston, more than 180,000 people were initially affected when the storms first struck in the early morning hours.

Emergency Response Activated

CenterPoint Energy activated its emergency response team ahead of the severe weather, strategically positioning resources across the Houston metropolitan area. The utility company deployed approximately 1,300 frontline workers and contractors at 12 service centers throughout the region to respond quickly to service disruptions.

"As storms roll through the Houston area, crews will be actively addressing any system issues safely and as quickly as possible," CenterPoint told customers in a statement. The company's enhanced storm staffing plan includes large repair crews dedicated to major restoration work such as replacing poles and repairing overhead lines, rapid response teams for immediate assessment and repairs, specialized underground crews, vegetation management teams, and material support staff.

Resources Deployed for Rapid Response

Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint's Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery, emphasized the dual responsibility of utility response and customer preparedness. "While our emergency response team continues to execute CenterPoint's storm preparedness plan and our crews get ready to respond to tomorrow's severe weather, we want to make sure our customers are also taking proactive steps to keep themselves and their families safe," he said.

Severe Weather Warnings in Effect

The National Weather Service issued multiple severe thunderstorm warnings lasting until 7:00 a.m. local time on Saturday morning. The alerts warned of significant threats to property and life across numerous counties, including Austin, Polk, San Jacinto, Fort Bend, Galveston, Colorado, Wharton, Brazoria, Harris, Chambers, Montgomery, Waller, and Liberty counties.

Tornado warnings were also issued for several counties in the Houston area, including Harris, Montgomery, and Waller. Additional flood watch warnings remained in effect for multiple Houston-area counties, with forecasts predicting heavy rainfall through Sunday morning. A beach hazard statement was also issued for Galveston Island.

Multiple Counties Under Alert

According to the National Weather Service, the Storm Prediction Center included a Slight Risk of severe weather (level 2 out of 5) from central Texas east to the Lower Mississippi Valley. The forecast warned of very large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Weather officials indicated the system would continue moving east on Sunday, with storms spreading into the Southeast.

Safety Concerns and Power Line Hazards

Utility officials urged residents to exercise extreme caution around downed power lines. Experts recommend staying at least 35 feet away from any fallen electrical wires and immediately contacting CenterPoint or Entergy to report them. The storms brought down numerous power lines across the affected areas, creating dangerous conditions on roads and in neighborhoods.

Early Saturday morning, the Office of Commissioner Precinct 3 Ritch Wheeler reported a major road closure due to downed power lines on Sawdust Road, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm damage throughout the region.

How to Track Outages and Report Issues

Both CenterPoint and Entergy provide online tools for customers to monitor outage status and report service disruptions. CenterPoint customers can access the company's Outage Tracker at their website, which offers real-time updates on power restoration efforts. The tracker is available in both English and Spanish and is mobile-friendly for easy access.

Customer Resources and Updates

Utility companies recommend customers take several proactive steps during severe weather events:

• Sign up for Power Alert Service to receive outage updates and restoration times via text or email
• Bookmark the utility company's Outage Tracker for real-time information
• Follow utility companies on social media platforms for immediate updates
• Visit company websites for storm safety tips and preparation guidelines
• Report outages through official channels rather than assuming others have already called

Regional Impact Beyond Houston

The storm system's effects extended beyond the Houston metropolitan area. Entergy reported outages affecting customers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas as well. The widespread nature of the weather event demonstrated the system's power and reach across the Gulf Coast region.

Friday afternoon, CenterPoint had announced its preparations for the incoming weather front, reorganizing resource locations to best address potential issues. The proactive positioning of crews and equipment aimed to minimize response times and expedite restoration efforts once it was safe for workers to begin repairs.

Looking Ahead

As restoration efforts continue throughout Saturday, customers should remain weather-aware as conditions may continue to change. The National Weather Service indicated that additional storms could develop through Sunday morning, potentially causing further service disruptions.

For the most current information on power restoration and outage status, CenterPoint customers should visit the company's outage tracker, while Entergy customers can access their utility's online map. Both companies emphasized they would continue working safely and efficiently to restore power to all affected customers as quickly as possible.

The combination of severe weather, widespread outages, and multiple weather warnings serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of power infrastructure during extreme weather events. As climate patterns continue to produce more intense storms, utility companies and residents alike must remain prepared for rapid response and extended outages during severe weather situations.