How to Check the CenterPoint Energy Outage Map

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CenterPoint Energy's outage map can tell you what's going on and when electricity might come back on. The useful tool tells you which neighborhoods are affected and offers estimated times of repair. Our guide will help you find and use the map in moments so you can make savvy choices about your activities until the lights come back on. With a few clicks of the mouse, you'll know as much as CenterPoint about the status.

How to Find CenterPoint Energy's Outage Map Online

Step 1: Go to the Direct Outage Map Link

The fastest way to check power outages is by visiting CenterPoint's official outage tracker at: https://tracker.centerpointenergy.com/map/. This is their dedicated outage tracker website.

To gain instant access during future outages, bookmark this link on all devices immediately, before the power goes out.

Step 2: Navigate from the Homepage (If You Don't Have the Direct Link)

If you can't remember the direct link, start at the CenterPoint Energy homepage and look for specific navigation elements:

  • Find the banner that says "Click here to visit Outage Tracker for updates on electric power service" This banner appears prominently on their homepage.

  • Or locate links labeled "Outage Center" or "Outage Tracker" in the main menu

Step 3: Access the Map on Your Mobile Device

The Outage Tracker is available on cell phones and tablets without the need for a separate app—simply open your cell phone browser and navigate to the tracker page. CenterPoint even made their updated tracker mobile-friendly with enhanced performance under high traffic outage events.

To get outage information on your phone:

  • Open your mobile browser

  • Type in the tracker URL or use your bookmarked link

  • Enable location services if prompted for faster address detection

  • Use two fingers to zoom in/out on the map as needed

How to Read and Use the CenterPoint Power Outage Map

Now that you've accessed the CenterPoint Energy Outage Map, understanding how to read and interact with it will help you quickly find the information you need during a power disruption.

Identify Active Outages Using Color-Coded Markers

The CenterPoint Outage Tracker uses color-coded markers to indicate outage locations throughout the service area. These visual indicators help you quickly assess the situation:

  • Red or orange markers: These typically indicate active outages affecting multiple customers

  • Blue markers: Often represent outages that have been reported and are pending assessment

  • Green markers: Usually show outages where crews have been dispatched or repairs are in progress

The size or intensity of these markers often corresponds to the number of affected customers, with larger markers indicating more widespread outages.

Get Detailed Outage Information from Pop-up Windows

When you click on an outage marker closest to your location, a pop-up window appears with detailed information about that specific outage. This window typically includes:

  • The total number of customers affected by this particular outage

  • An estimated restoration time labeled as "Est. Restoration" showing when power is expected to return

  • The current status of the restoration effort (such as "Assessing Damage," "Crew Dispatched," or "Repairs Underway")

  • If available, the cause of the outage (such as "Weather-Related," "Equipment Failure," or "Scheduled Maintenance")

  • When the outage was first reported

The information updates every five minutes, though your specific outage status will only change when new restoration information becomes available.

Search for Your Address to Check Local Power Status

You can locate your address on the map in two ways: by typing your address into the "Find a location" search function, or by manually zooming in and out of the map area.

Additional search options include:

  • Searching by ZIP code for a broader view of your area

  • Finding outages by county or city name

  • Using the summary reporting feature to view outages organized by county, city, and ZIP code

Navigate the Map with Zoom Controls and Special Layers

Navigating the CenterPoint Energy Outage Map is straightforward:

  • Zoom controls: Use the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons in the corner of the map, or your mouse scroll wheel, to zoom in and out

  • Panning: Click and drag anywhere on the map to move to different areas

  • View options: Switch between street view and satellite view to better understand how vegetation and terrain might affect outages in your area

  • Weather overlay: Enable the weather integration layer to see how current weather conditions might be impacting outages in your region

These navigation tools help you gain a comprehensive understanding of both the scope of the outage and potential factors contributing to power disruptions in your neighborhood.

How to Get Practical Information During a CenterPoint Power Outage

The CenterPoint Energy outage map provides specific details you'll need when your power goes out. These practical tips will help you extract the most useful information from the map.

Find Your Specific Location with the Search Function

To quickly locate outage information for your area:

Type your full address into the "Find a location" search bar at the top of the map. This will center the map directly on your location and show any outages affecting your area.

If you don't have your exact address handy:

  • Just enter your ZIP code for a broader view

  • Use neighborhood landmarks as reference points

  • Check the summary reporting section that groups outages by county, city, and ZIP code to get a general overview of your area. During extended outages, keep your phone charged with a backup battery to ensure continuous access to this critical information.

If your location doesn't appear on the first try, double-check your spelling and address format. You can also try entering just the street number and name without the apartment number if you live in a multi-unit dwelling.

Understand What the Estimated Restoration Time Really Means

When you click on the outage marker near your address, look for the "Est. Restoration" field in the pop-up window. This shows the current estimate of when power might be restored to your area.

Important points about restoration times:

  • These times are estimates based on current information and can change

  • Outage status information updates every five minutes, but will only change when new restoration information becomes available

  • During major weather events, initial estimates may be less precise

  • The estimate becomes more accurate as crews assess the damage and begin repairs

For the most reliable information, check the map periodically rather than relying on the first estimate you see.

Track Outage Cause and Repair Status for Better Planning

When viewing outage information, pay attention to both the cause (if listed) and the current status:

Outage causes: These may initially show as "Under Investigation" and later update to more specific reasons like "Weather-Related," "Equipment Failure," or "Planned Maintenance"

Status updates: Look for status indicators such as:

  • "Outage Reported" (initial stage)

  • "Crew Assigned" (help is on the way)

  • "Assessment in Progress" (determining repairs needed)

  • "Repairs Underway" (active work to restore power)

If the map doesn't show an outage where you're experiencing one, you might be affected by a "nested outage" – a localized issue that occurs when systems indicate power was restored to equipment in your area, but your home remains affected by a more specific problem like a damaged line fuse or transformer.

What to Do When Your Outage Isn't Showing on the Map

Sometimes you might lose power but don't see your outage displayed on the CenterPoint Energy map. Here's how to handle this situation.

Report Your Outage Through Multiple Available Channels

If you're experiencing a power outage that isn't reflected on the map, report it promptly to CenterPoint Energy through any of these methods:

  • By phone: Call CenterPoint Energy's outage reporting line at 1-800-227-1376

  • Through the outage tracker: Use the online reporting feature by clicking the red "REPORT" button on the outage tracker website. You'll need to enter your phone number (or meter number) and your house number.

  • Alternative phone number: Some regions may use 800-332-7143 for reporting outages by phone

When reporting an outage, be prepared to provide:

  • Your account number (if you have it handy)

  • The address where power is out

  • When you first noticed the power outage

  • Whether your neighbors also appear to be affected

Check If Your Home Has a Localized Issue

If the tracker shows no outage but you still don't have electricity, you may be experiencing one of these below scenarios:

You can experience damage to the customer's equipment, for instance, weatherhead, meter box, or your breaker will need to be reset.

You may be struck with a "nested outage" – an in-betweener condition that occurs when systems report power restored to gear in your area, but your home still continues to be struck with a more localized issue.

Verify With Neighbors to Determine the Outage Scope

Before reporting, check with your neighbors to determine if this is an isolated or widespread issue:

  • Contact adjacent neighbors first to see if they have power

  • If possible, look down your street to see if street lights or other homes have power

  • For apartment or condo dwellers, check if hallway lights or other units are affected

This information helps CenterPoint Energy diagnose the problem more effectively. If only your home is affected, it might be an issue with your service line or electrical panel. If multiple homes are affected but not showing on the map, mention this when reporting the outage.

Check Your Home's Electrical System

Before reporting an outage, check your circuit breakers and fuse boxes to confirm the power loss isn't limited to your home's electrical system. Simple steps include:

  • Inspect your main electrical panel for tripped breakers

  • Check if only certain circuits are affected (partial power loss)

  • See if the main breaker has tripped and needs resetting

  • For older homes with fuses, check if any have blown and need replacement

This quick check can save you time if the issue is something you can resolve yourself rather than an actual grid outage. For prolonged outages that appear on the map with extended restoration times, portable power stations can help maintain essential services in your home while waiting for repairs.

Bookmark the CenterPoint Outage Map Today!

The CenterPoint Energy Outage Map is your first place to go during power outages. Take a minute today to bookmark the direct link and familiarize yourself with reading the color-coded markers and estimated repair times. Consider preparing backup batteries for your mobile devices and portable power stations for critical home equipment to stay comfortable and informed during extended outages. During outages, you'll know where to find information on impacted areas and repair times. If your outage is not visible, report it using the website's red REPORT button or by contacting 1-800-227-1376, and check with neighbors to see if it's not just your residence.