CenterPoint Energy is activating its Emergency Operations Center ahead of a tropical disturbance in the gulf that could impact the Houston region.
The disturbance, named Invest 97L, is being studied for possible tropical development that could impact Houston starting Monday night or Tuesday morning.
“Our Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the potential impacts from Invest 97L to the Greater Houston area Tuesday and Wednesday,” Jason Fabre, with CenterPoint Energy, said in a Monday statement.
The system has the potential to bring heavy rain, flooding and high winds to CenterPoint Energy’s service area this week.
The area of low pressure in the gulf could become a brief tropical storm before reaching Texas, according to a 7 p.m. Sunday National Hurricane Center update. Should the storm further develop, its name would be Edouard.
“Model guidance generally carries the disturbance westward toward the Louisiana or upper Texas coasts, but the wide range of possible tracks makes it too early to say where the heaviest rain will fall,” said Justin Ballard Houston Chronicle newsroom meteorologist. “Parts of the Houston area and upper Texas coast could receive 1 to 2 inches through Friday morning.”
Higher rain totals are expected near the coast with lowering chances of rain further inland.
To prepare, CenterPoint’s Emergency Operations Center is operational and coordinating with Houston authorities.
The company is also moving its crews into place should gas and power restoration be needed in the area, according to the release.
CenterPoint will inform customers via email, phone and text and across social media platforms when needed.
“We are closely monitoring the weather models as conditions continue to evolve and urge our customers to stay alert in anticipation of quickly changing weather conditions,” Fabre said.