Include Power Outages in Hurricane Plans
TEXAS CITY, Texas – Texas-New Mexico Power has conducted its planning for the effects of potential tropical storms and hurricanes for this hurricane season.
It's important for customers to take extended power outages into consideration when making their own plans, too. We recommend that customers have a plan that will assist them in going days - or perhaps even weeks - without electricity while our crews work to restore power.
"If another hurricane comes and causes serious damage to our system, we'll bring in additional crews and supplies to restore power," TNMP President Neal Walker said. "The weather service says it'll be a busier tropical storm and hurricane year than normal, but we hope those storms stay away from our system and the customers it serves."
TNMP serves more than 125,000 homes and businesses in its Gulf Coast service area, including Angleton, Alvin, Brazoria, Friendswood, League City and Texas City.
See map of TNMP Gulf Coast service area
Tips for customers
- Before the storm, check that emergency equipment such as flashlights, battery-operated radios and backup generators are in working order and charge mobile phones.
- Customers on life support should take appropriate measures to ensure their safety in the case of a long-term power outage.
- Those customers are encouraged to consider relocating in advance of the hurricane in order to avoid power interruption.
- Avoid all downed lines.
- Assume any line on the ground is energized – and dangerous – and remain a safe distance away.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings the day before the storm to keep food fresh in the event of a power outage.
- According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if unopened. A freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-full).
- Electric garage doors won't open if the power is out. Be sure to have a door key so you can re-enter after an evacuation.
Portable generator owners should review product directions to ensure safe operation, including operating only individual appliances directly and not trying to power entire homes.
TNMP prepares
Before the storm, we monitor weather forecasts, communicate with our mutual assistance partners to ensure they are on standby and have several staging sites prepared for them.
After a severe storm, TNMP makes aerial and ground assessments of our equipment to ensure the right resources are available, such as the number of crews and materials needed to repair damaged equipment.
The highest restoration priorities will be locations like water treatment plants, sewer lift stations and police and fire stations. Priority is given to circuits with large numbers of customers and shorter restoration times.
Texas-New Mexico Power is a transmission and distribution service provider that delivers power to about 245,000 homes and businesses on behalf of retail electric providers in Texas. More information is available at tnmp.com/about-us.
Media contact
Eric Paul: 409-949-5685