TNMP Restores Power to Over 55 Percent of Customers

(FORT WORTH, Texas) – TNMP, a provider of electrical transmission and distribution services to approximately 115,000 customers in the Gulf Coast region, continues restoration efforts in its service territory and has already restored power to more than 63,000 customers.

TNMP crews, with the help of mutual assistance crews from throughout the region, plan to focus on energizing the remainder of its circuits by day’s end and concentrate on making needed repairs in individual neighborhoods. Once all circuits are energized and crucial water and sewage facilities are fully restored, crews will concentrate on replacing transformers, poles, wires and other equipment located near the homes and businesses of TNMP customers.

“Restoring power to almost 60 percent of our customers this soon after Hurricane Ike is a great accomplishment for TNMP,” said Neal Walker, TNMP vice president of Texas operations.  “Now, our crews face the most difficult phase of the restoration process, which entails tackling the damage done to equipment in the back yards and alleyways in the communities we serve.  We ask that customers continue to be patient as we continue to work diligently to restore power in a safe and timely manner.”

Walker asks customers not only to be patient, but also to work with TNMP to ensure that work is completed safely and efficiently.  Here are some things customers can do to help facilitate the process and avoid any scams that might arise out of the situation in the Gulf Coast:

• Turn on Front Porch Lights: For customers without power, flipping front porch light outlets to the on position helps TNMP crews determine which streets have power and which streets may still be in need of repair.
• Let Crews Do Their Work: Outside of emergencies, please allow the TNMP and mutual assistance crews complete their critical work.  If crews are in your neighborhood, they are there specifically to help make repairs and restore power to your home or business.  Interrupting them makes the work take longer, so please let them do their job of restoring service as quickly as possible.
• Avoid Scams: Some TNMP customers have reported instances of receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be calling from TNMP.  The caller promises to restore power more quickly to customers if they pay a fee by providing credit card information over the phone.  Please be assured that TNMP does not fast track restoration by charging its customers, and that all customers will be restored as soon as possible.  TNMP will never call customers asking for payment during the restoration process, and customers are urged to never give out credit card or other personal information over the telephone.
• Be Safe: In the days to come, TNMP customers will see many TNMP and other utility employees in their neighborhoods making repairs.  If someone claiming to be a utility worker asks for permission to enter your home or business, please do not grant them access and call the police immediately.  TNMP employees will never ask to enter your residence or business.  On occasion, a TNMP employee may knock on doors to ensure that power has been restored, but they will not ask to come inside.  Also, customers should be aware that TNMP employees will wear clothing with official TNMP insignias visible and drive vehicles with TNMP logos on the doors.  Plus, all TNMP employees will carry official TNMP employee badges.

At this time, TNMP indicates that power has been restored to at least some parts of every community it serves.

TNMP customers with Internet access can view updated outage information by visiting www.tnmp.com.  Customers can contact TNMP by calling its toll-free customer service line, which is (888) 866-7456, to report extreme emergencies as a result of hurricane-related outages. Customers also are asked to be patient, as full restoration of service for most customers isn’t expected for several days.  Full restoration in areas with extensive damage could take up to two weeks. TNMP customers are reminded to use caution in the wake of the hurricane by avoiding all downed lines.  Customers should assume any line seen on the ground is energized and should remain a safe distance away.