CenterPoint Mobilizes 3,300 Workers for Winter Storm as Houston, Southeast Texas Brace for Arctic Blast
As Southeast Texas braces for an arctic front expected to plunge the region into freezing temperatures and icy conditions this weekend, CenterPoint Energy is ramping up storm readiness across its Greater Houston service territory. With support from state emergency declarations and ERCOT’s Weather Watch, the energy company has mobilized more than 3,300 personnel, including 600 additional frontline workers, to prepare for widespread outages and storm-related service impacts.
The preparation effort includes three staging sites located in northern areas of the Houston metro, where icy roads and freezing rain are most likely to cause power disruptions. These sites will allow CenterPoint to strategically pre-position crews, equipment, and materials to support emergency restoration efforts should conditions deteriorate.
According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service-Houston/Galveston, the upcoming system could deliver freezing rain, dangerously cold wind chills between 5°F and 15°F, and prolonged subfreezing temperatures from Saturday night through Monday morning. Forecasters also warn of hard freezes and hazardous travel conditions across much of Southeast Texas, with the highest potential for accumulating ice in Montgomery County and areas north of the I-10 corridor
“We know how important it is for homes and businesses to have the electric and natural gas service they expect and deserve, especially when severe weather is forecasted to impact our region,” said Don Daigler, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Emergency Operations Center Activated
CenterPoint activated its Emergency Operations Center Thursday morning and has committed to continuous monitoring and deployment of its cold weather action plan. That includes coordination with local governments, testing of 270 electric substations, and enhanced tree trimming to prevent ice-damaged limbs from interfering with power lines.
Crews are also conducting cold-weather inspections, monitoring 100+ weather stations throughout the region, and positioning compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks at 14 locations to reinforce gas service reliability.
Over the past year, CenterPoint employees and contractors have completed over 19,000 hours of emergency training in preparation for events like this, according to a release issued by CenterPoint today.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
State of Emergency Declared by Texas Governor
Governor Greg Abbott officially activated the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) resources in advance of the storm. Agencies from the Texas Department of Transportation to the Texas National Guard are now on alert to assist with stranded motorists, public safety, and infrastructure impacts across the state.
“Based on current forecasts, the State of Texas is acting to ensure Texans have the resources they need before severe winter weather impacts communities across Texas,” said Governor Abbott in a statement issued from Austin.
ERCOT Monitoring Grid Conditions
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch for Saturday through Tuesday. While no power shortages are currently anticipated, the agency is closely monitoring statewide grid conditions and coordinating with utility providers.
The urgency behind these storm preparations is rooted in painful past experience. In February 2021, a catastrophic winter storm caused ERCOT to average 34,000 megawatts of generation outages over two consecutive days—nearly half the state’s winter peak load at the time. It became the largest firm load shed event in U.S. history, leaving millions without power and resulting in tragic consequences across Texas. The event was also the fourth major cold weather-related grid failure in a decade, prompting sweeping changes in how utilities and state agencies prepare for extreme winter weather.
CenterPoint is urging customers to sign up for its Power Alert Service®, which provides real-time updates on outages and restoration times via phone, text, or email. Customers can also view current outage maps at CenterPointEnergy.com/OutageTracker.
Safety First: What You Should Know
With freezing rain forecasted for most of the region from Saturday morning through Sunday, residents are strongly advised to finish their preparations by Friday afternoon. CenterPoint reminds the public to stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and to treat all lines as energized and dangerous.
In the event of widespread outages, the most vulnerable — including elderly residents, outdoor workers, and those without stable shelter — may be at increased risk. As part of its long-term community resilience work, CenterPoint’s charitable Foundation previously awarded a $1 million grant to The Salvation Army to support disaster relief and warming center operations across Houston.
“Our teams are mobilized across the area now, performing pre-storm checks, conducting additional tree trimming, and preparing to respond to any impacts on our system from the forecasted winter weather conditions,” Daigler added.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
NWS Forecast Highlights
-
Freezing rain is likely across northern Houston suburbs, with a medium chance for icy conditions even closer to the coast.
-
Wind gusts up to 30 mph may combine with ice to cause downed branches and possible power outages
-
Hard freeze conditions are forecast Saturday through Monday night, with the possibility of over 24 hours below freezing in inland areas
-
Single-digit wind chills are possible Sunday and Monday mornings across most of Southeast Texas
How to Prepare Now
Customers should take precautions immediately:
-
Charge mobile devices and back-up batteries.
-
Protect pipes, pets, and plants from freezing conditions.
-
Avoid unnecessary travel, especially on bridges or overpasses.
-
Have flashlights, blankets, and non-perishable food on hand.
Resources for safety tips and updates are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter. Road condition updates can be found at DriveTexas.org, and warming center maps are accessible via tdem.texas.gov/warm.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
