HOUSTON, Oct. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Gulf Coast braces for Tropical Storm Nate, CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) is closely monitoring and preparing for the storm. The company has developed the following pre- and post-storm natural gas safety tips that customers should follow:

Before the storm:

• Do not turn off your natural gas service at the meter; doing so could allow water to enter the natural gas lines.
• Be alert for the smell of natural gas. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately on foot and tell others to leave, too.
• If you smell gas, do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a cell phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
• Do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off. Once safely away from the area, call CenterPoint Energy at 888-876-5786. The company will send a trained service technician.

After the storm:

• If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances and gas piping to make sure they are in good operating condition before calling CenterPoint Energy to reconnect service. This includes outdoor gas appliances including pool heaters, gas grills and gas lights.
• Call 811, the nationwide Call Before You Dig number before cleaning debris, digging on your property or to locate underground natural gas lines and other underground utility lines.
• Be aware of where your natural gas meter is located. As debris is put out for heavy trash pickup, make sure it is placed away from the meter. If debris is near a gas meter, the equipment used by trash collectors could pull up the meter, damaging it and causing a potentially hazardous situation. If this happens, leave the area immediately and call CenterPoint Energy at 888-876-5786.

Visit CenterPoint Energy'sweather safety pages and follow the company @cnpalerts and Facebook.com/CenterPoint Energy.

For more information contact:
Corporate Communications
24-hour access:
713.619.5143

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.