Power outages in Houston caused by the winter storm were more limited than expected, according to information from CenterPoint Energy. By Sunday night, more than 1,000 customers in the metro area remained without electricity, a figure considerably lower than the scenarios anticipated before the freeze.

Energy authorities noted that the state’s electrical system withstood the cold temperatures, while crews continue working to restore service to affected users.

Power Outages in Houston: Initial Balance After the Freeze

According to CenterPoint Energy, by 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 1,100 customers remained without electricity in the Houston area. The figure represented a significant reduction from the nearly 10,000 users who had lost service earlier during the day.

The company said that, in total, its crews managed to restore power to about 30,000 customers since Saturday morning as the winter system moved through the region.

CenterPoint is responsible for maintaining power lines in the city of Houston and much of the metropolitan area, so it handles the majority of local outage reports.

CenterPoint Releases Workers and Keeps Crews in Houston

CenterPoint officials said the company decided to release 500 contracted workers to support restoration efforts in nine states where weather conditions were more severe. Still, the company kept 2,800 workers in the Houston area to address the remaining outages.

According to the company, the impacts did not reach the levels that had been forecast before the weather event. In a Sunday morning press conference, CenterPoint’s Chief Operating Officer Jesús Soto explained that the ice buildup on infrastructure was less than anticipated.

“We were concerned about ice buildup on power lines and trees, and that vegetation would contact the wiring,” Soto said. “That did not materialize.”

Also read: School districts cancel classes in Houston on Monday due to extreme cold forecast

Prior Warning and Differences with the 2021 Storm

Before the winter storm began, CenterPoint had warned that up to 200,000 customers could be left without power during the weather event. However, the actual conditions turned out to be less severe for Houston’s electrical infrastructure.

Statewide, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported that the Texas power grid remained stable during the temperature drop. The agency projected that there was sufficient capacity to meet demand throughout the freezing period.

Authorities stressed that the situation was different from February 2021, when ERCOT ordered widespread outages to prevent the grid’s collapse. On this occasion, temperatures did not stay that low for an extended period, reducing the risk to the grid.

Entergy and the Electric Outlook in Other Areas

In addition to the outages in Houston, other parts of the state also experienced power interruptions. Entergy Texas, the provider for the northern and eastern parts of the metro area, reported about 5,100 customers without power on Sunday night.

The company said its crews were prepared to work long shifts once the storm passed, with the aim of restoring service safely and as quickly as possible.

Statewide, it was estimated that around 71,000 homes and businesses in Texas remained without power on Sunday afternoon, mainly due to local damage to electrical equipment related to ice.

Much of these outages were concentrated in East Texas, in counties such as Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Rusk, Panola, and Shelby, where tens of thousands of customers continued to be affected.

What Affected Houston Customers Should Do

CenterPoint reminded that customers can receive updates on restoration through the Power Alert Service or by consulting the company’s online outage tracker. These tools allow you to know the status of outages and estimated restoration times.

Energy authorities recommended residents stay informed through official channels, especially given the possibility of subzero temperatures during the overnight and morning hours.

What Comes After the Storm and Outages in Houston

Although the impact of the freeze was less severe than forecast in Houston, crews continue working to restore service to the last affected customers. State officials and utilities said they will continue monitoring the grid as winter progresses and new temperature drops occur.