Hurricane Season: How TNMP is preparing, what to expect

The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season is underway in Texas. Hurricanes, like any severe weather event, can cause power outages and threaten public safety. Recently, Texas-New Mexico Power participated in the Galveston County Emergency Management activation exercise at their Emergency Operations Center. 

TNMP annually reviews emergency preparedness plans for hurricanes, winter storms, and other large scale weather events to assist power restoration for the citizens of our community.

Our Gulf Coast teams are experienced in restoring power after tropical storms and hurricanes. Before the storm makes landfall, additional crews will be staged.

While our teams prepare, customers are also encouraged to include the possibility of power outages in their annual hurricane season preparations.

"Public and crew member safety is our highest priority, but we will get power restored as quickly as safety allows," said Pauline Moore, TNMP T&D Business Units. "We fully understand the importance to our customers and communities of having power available as soon as possible."

Not all customers may lose power in a tropical storm or hurricane, but they are encouraged to assume that they could be out for many days after a storm exits.

Common effects:
While the impact a storm may have on our system is difficult to predict, lengthy power outages often can result.
Winds can damage equipment directly, along with broken and blowing tree limbs contacting wires and other equipment. Lightning strikes also are common causes of outages.

Flooding resulting from tropical storms also could impact service, including that:
•    employees potentially could be unable to reach and / or repair equipment.
•    power in areas with underground service may need to be turned off by us to ensure public safety.

Important tips for customers:
See our Tropical Storms & Hurricanes page for:
•    additional preparation tips for customers.
•    safety tips.
•    portable generator considerations.
•    information for how power restoration is prioritized.
•    how customers can get more information during post-hurricane restoration.

Gulf Coast communities served by TNMP:
•    Alvin
•    Angleton
•    Bailey's Prairie
•    Brazoria
•    Dickinson
•    Friendswood
•    Holiday Lakes
•    La Marque
•    League City
•    Old Ocean
•    Pearland (small portion of town)
•    Sweeny
•    Texas City
•    West Columbia

TNMP is a transmission and distribution service provider that delivers power to more than 260,000 homes and businesses on behalf of retail electric providers in Texas. More information is available at tnmp.com/about-us.

Media Contact
Sara Yingling