CPS Energy prepared for eminent power outages from forecasted high winds, heavy rain

August 26, 2017     Update: 12:21 pm              

Throughout the week CPS Energy crews have been gearing up and prepping for what now seems inevitable, widespread power outages resulting from strong winds and heavy rain created by Hurricane Harvey.

The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy rain and wind gusts up to 50 mph that could lead to fallen trees and limbs interfering with overhead power lines. Currently, there are 194 outages affecting over 14,545 customers.

“Our top priority is restoring power as quickly and safely as possible,” said Cris Eugster, COO of CPS Energy. “We are prepared to respond to outages but wind gust will slow our power restorations efforts.” Wind speeds above 30 mph slow down power restoration efforts as it becomes unsafe to use various equipment. CPS Energy has four service centers open and has maximized personnel in order to respond quickly to power outages.

“Customers can be assured that our team will work continuously through the weekend and into the upcoming week to assist our customers,” said Felecia Etheridge, CPS Energy Chief Customer Engagement Officer. Customers are encouraged to utilize online services if possible to avoid what could be extended hold times.

Strong winds could lead to downed power lines, customers are urged to stay away and report them immediately to 353-HELP (4357).

Customers can stay up-to-date on Facebook and Twitter. Customers may report outages online or by calling 353-4357. Customers can also sign up for Energy Alerts at cpsenergy.com through Manage My Account.

CPS Energy offers the following tips during power outages:

• Avoid downed power lines! Treat all wires as if they are “live” (energized). Report damaged lines to CPS Energy, 353-HELP (4357), immediately.
• Keep at least one light turned on to help you realize when power has been restored.
• Keep refrigerator or freezer doors closed to maintain the unit’s temperature. The USDA says a refrigerator will keep food safely cold for up to four hours if unopened. Discard refrigerated, perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items if the power has been out for more than 4 hours.
• Use caution when driving, as traffic signals may be disrupted.

CPS Energy is celebrating its 75th year of City of San Antonio ownership. Established in 1860, we are the nation’s largest municipally owned natural gas and electric company, providing safe and affordable service to 804,000 electric and 343,000 natural gas customers in Greater San Antonio. With our AA+ credit rating, one of the best in the industry, we offer best in class reliability and some of the lowest rates among the top 10 largest U.S. cities. We recognize our role as a community partner and are continuously focused on job creation, economic development and educational investment. Powered by our people, our investment in the community is demonstrated through our employees’ generosity in giving $1.1 million to United Way. We are also committed to investing in clean energy. CPS Energy is among the top public power wind energy buyers in the nation and number one in Texas for solar generation. For more information, visit newsroomp.cpsenergy.com.