CenterPoint Energy Removes Outage Tracker Map Days Before Hurricane Season | Houston Public Media
CenterPoint Energy has made the decision to remove its outage tracker map just days before the start of the hurricane season. This move comes as severe thunderstorms and the looming threat of hurricanes pose potential risks to power outages in the region. The outage tracker map, once a valuable tool for locating areas without power and estimating restoration times, is no longer accessible on the company’s website. According to Michelle Hundley from CenterPoint Energy, the decision was made following technical challenges caused by high website traffic.
The recent severe weather events, including a storm on May 16th that left nearly one million customers without power, have highlighted the importance of accurate and up-to-date outage information. The most recent storm on Tuesday further impacted over 370,000 customers, emphasizing the need for a reliable outage tracker. Hundley acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the unavailability of the map and stated that the company worked on providing alternative solutions during the recent events.
“While the outage tracker was not functioning properly, we took steps to produce maps with estimated restoration times and deliver service-area-level updates to our customers,” said Hundley. CenterPoint Energy is actively seeking a replacement for the outage tracker map and assures customers that power outage information is still accessible through their website, with updates every 15 minutes. Additionally, customers are encouraged to register for the Power Alert Service to receive timely notifications about outages and restoration efforts.
As hurricane season approaches, the reliability of power outage information becomes crucial for residents in the region. CenterPoint Energy is committed to restoring the outage tracker map and ensuring that customers have access to real-time updates during times of need. Stay informed and prepared for potential outages by utilizing the resources provided by CenterPoint Energy to mitigate the impact of severe weather events.
