GALVESTON, Texas — CenterPoint Energy said it is reviewing its equipment and exploring additional technologies after Tropical Storm Arthur caused power outages that left about 11,000 customers in Galveston without electricity for several hours last month.
Company officials said salt spray generated by the storm affected equipment at several substations, contributing to the outages on June 18.
“We know that that was not a hugely impactful storm, not lots of rain, but lots of wind and lots of sea spray,” CenterPoint Chief Communications Officer Keith Stephens said. “That leads to salt contamination in some areas.”
Stephens said CenterPoint had proactively washed substation equipment with deionized water before the storm to reduce the effects of salt buildup, but some equipment was still damaged.
He said the utility is evaluating additional technologies to better identify when substations require preventive cleaning. CenterPoint currently uses sensors that help determine when equipment should be washed to reduce the risk of salt contamination.
“We’re looking at any and all new forms of technology to help us do that,” Stephens said.
CenterPoint Service Area Manager Ryan Duggan said the company is also using weather stations across Galveston Island to compare historical weather data with outage patterns and identify ways to improve the electric system’s reliability.
“Part of the whole idea behind these weather stations is so that we can look at the historical data, match it up to our reliability issues and maybe look to do different framings or reroute some power in different locations so that we can make sure we’re building the most resilient grid possible,” Duggan said.
Duggan said crews have repaired the equipment damaged during the storm.
Some residents experienced extended outages after Tropical Storm Arthur moved through the area. Jamaica Beach resident Brandon McDermott previously told Houston Public Media that parts of the west end of Galveston Island were without electricity for about nine hours.
CenterPoint hosted a public meeting in Galveston on June 29 to discuss its preparations for the 2026 hurricane season and hear concerns from residents.
Ted Kury, director of energy studies at the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida, said residents should also share their concerns with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates the state’s electric utilities.
Kury said public comments can help regulators better understand the reliability challenges facing coastal communities such as Galveston.
