In the wake of the Derecho storm that ravaged the Greater Houston area back in May, residents were left grappling with widespread power outages. The storm, with its fierce winds and torrential rains, caused significant damage to the region’s power infrastructure. As the community came together to rebuild, they relied heavily on CenterPoint Energy’s Power Outage Tracker (outage map) to stay updated. However, in an unexpected twist, the tracker crashed during the storm’s peak and has remained out of service ever since.
Fast forward to today, and the frustration is palpable. Hurricane Beryl, which struck the Greater Houston area yesterday, brought the same chaos and power outages, but this time, residents had no functioning outage tracker to rely on. Mike Acosta, a long-time resident of the Greater Houston area, local artist known for his vibrant depictions of the city, and a partner with Houston City Beat, found himself increasingly frustrated with the lack of information. With the Power Outage Tracker still down, he signed up for text alerts, Power Alerts Service, which has become the only means to receive notifications from CenterPoint. Yet, even these alerts are sporadic and often delayed, leaving many residents like Mike feeling helpless and uninformed.
Are CenterPoint’s Systems Overwhelmed?
The continuous issues with the outage tracker have raised numerous questions among Houstonians. Are CenterPoint’s systems overwhelmed by the demand? The sheer scale of the Derecho storm and the subsequent outages undoubtedly put immense pressure on their infrastructure. However, months have passed since that storm, and the tracker’s persistent malfunction suggests deeper, more systemic issues.
Dealing with Outdated Technology?
One of the primary concerns is whether CenterPoint is dealing with outdated technology. In an age where real-time updates are not just expected but necessary, relying on a system that can’t withstand a major storm’s impact is unacceptable. The Power Outage Tracker, once a reliable source of information, now stands as a symbol of technological inadequacy.
Why Are We Not Being Informed?
The core of the issue, however, lies in the lack of communication. Residents are left asking, “Why are we not being informed?” and “Why are we literally being kept in the dark?” The sporadic text alerts are not enough to keep the community adequately updated. Without a functioning tracker and with unreliable notifications, the transparency and trust between CenterPoint and the residents have eroded significantly.
For Mike Acosta and many others, this situation is more than an inconvenience; it’s a matter of safety and security. The need for timely and accurate information during power outages is critical, not just for planning and convenience but for the well-being of families, businesses, and the entire community.
Moving Forward
The Greater Houston area deserves better. It’s time for CenterPoint to address these issues head-on, invest in robust and resilient technology, and ensure that their communication channels are effective and reliable. The community’s patience is wearing thin, and it’s imperative for CenterPoint to take decisive action to restore trust and provide the transparency that Houstonians need.
Until then, residents like Mike Acosta will continue to navigate this challenging landscape, hoping for a day when they are no longer kept in the dark.
Potential Solution for Addressing Communication Failures
If you’re frustrated with CenterPoint's lack of communication during power outages, consider contacting the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) at 888-782-8477. While the PUC may not be able to resolve the current outage, your complaint will be entered into the public record, highlighting the ongoing issues.
When you call, be sure to clearly state that your complaint is not just about the power outage itself, but about CenterPoint's continuous failure to provide the necessary infrastructure and resources to effectively communicate with the public. Here are the key points to mention:
- Lack of Communication: CenterPoint has consistently failed to build a basic website that can provide updates to customers during outages.
- Inadequate Customer Support: There are not enough call center representatives to handle the volume of calls during an outage.
- Poor Information Dissemination: Employees are not given the basic information needed to pass on to customers.
- Reliability Issues: In addition to communication failures, CenterPoint struggles to provide reliable service.
While your call to the PUC won’t fix the problem immediately, getting your complaint on record is crucial. It makes it more difficult for politicians and officials to dismiss these issues and claim that the grid is functioning properly. By voicing your concerns, you contribute to the push for improved infrastructure and better communication from utility providers.
Note: We have reached out to CenterPoint for further information.
UPDATE FROM CENTERPOINT
Houston City Beat reached out to a CenterPoint spokesperson this morning and this is what they shared with us. They are still accessing damage which is why no one has received a Power Alert text update. They are actively working on launching a cloud solution for the Power Tracker Map that everyone loves but it just so happens that Beryl showed up before the tracker was ready to launch.
It's difficult for everyone - but patience is key to moving forward.
