As Houston braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Beryl, a critical tool for tracking power outages remains offline. CenterPoint Energy’s Outage Tracker, which has been down since May due to a storm-induced technical glitch, won’t be operational until a new platform launches at the end of July. This outage map is essential for Houston’s 2.8 million customers to monitor electrical disruptions and restoration efforts.
The Importance of CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker
CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker is a vital resource for residents to identify affected areas and get estimated restoration times during power outages. The map provides detailed, neighborhood-level data that helps residents plan and stay informed during severe weather events. However, since May, this tool has been unavailable, leaving many without crucial information. The technical difficulties that disabled the tracker originated from a powerful derecho storm that hit Harris County.
Efforts to Restore the Outage Tracker
CenterPoint Energy has announced plans to replace the outdated system with a new, cloud-based platform by the end of July. This upgraded map promises to deliver the same level of outage information and enhanced functionality. The new system is designed to handle higher customer traffic, which previously caused performance issues during the derecho.
Frustrations and Interim Solutions
The unavailability of the outage map has caused frustration among residents who rely on real-time updates to manage their safety and daily routines during power outages. Despite these challenges, CenterPoint has been actively communicating with local officials and residents to provide alternative sources of information.
State Representative Armando Walle, representing Houston’s Northside and Aldine areas, has been in constant contact with CenterPoint to ensure that vulnerable communities receive timely updates. He emphasized the importance of communication and praised CenterPoint’s efforts to reach out to affected residents ahead of Tropical Storm Beryl’s arrival.
Alternative Resources for Power Outage Information
In the absence of the outage tracker, CenterPoint has directed customers to other resources for outage information:
Power Alert Service: This service provides personalized outage information, including estimated restoration times via phone call, text, or email. Customers can sign up for these alerts through their CenterPoint online accounts.
Storm Center: Updated every 15 minutes, this platform offers general outage information, including the number of affected customers and restoration statistics from the previous 24 hours.
For customers served by other electricity providers in the Houston area, similar resources are available:
Entergy Customers: Entergy operates its own outage tracker map, providing real-time updates. Customers can also sign up for outage alerts via text message to receive updates on restoration timelines.
Texas-New Mexico Power Customers: Covering parts of Galveston and Brazoria counties, Texas-New Mexico Power offers a working outage tracker map. Customers can also subscribe to a text message-based outage alert service for updates on outages and severe weather conditions.
The Road Ahead
While the restoration of CenterPoint’s outage tracker is eagerly awaited, residents are encouraged to utilize these alternative resources to stay informed and prepared. The new cloud-based platform promises to enhance outage tracking capabilities and better support the community during severe weather events.
As the Houston area prepares for Tropical Storm Beryl, effective communication and access to reliable information remain crucial. Residents should stay connected with their electricity providers and utilize the available tools to ensure safety and preparedness during power outages.
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