After the Hurricane, Utility In Process of Assessing Damage and Restoring Power to Customers FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- TNMP, a provider of electrical transmission and distribution services to approximately 115,000 customers in the Gulf Coast region, is in the process of assessing damage to its system and restoring power to customers in the wake of Hurricane Ike. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080811/PNMRESOURCESLOGO ) Hurricane Ike swept through the Gulf Coast region of Texas late Friday night and early Saturday morning, causing severe flooding and wind damage to many cities in the area. TNMP dispatched crews early Saturday morning to assess damage to its service area and initiated its plan to restore power to customers. "Restoring power to our customers in a safe and timely matter is TNMP's primary concern after a hurricane like we experienced with Ike," said Neal Walker, TNMP vice president of Texas operations. "A hurricane of this magnitude generally causes service problems that can take some time to restore, and I appreciate the patience of our customers as we work diligently to restore power. Restoring power may take some time, but we are focusing all of our resources to get lights back on for folks in the area." As of Saturday morning, TNMP reported that an estimated 113,000 Gulf Coast customers were without power. This estimate included virtually all customers in Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood, Alvin, La Marque, Angleton, Sweeny, West Columbia, Brazoria, Bailey's Prairie, Hillcrest Village and Holliday Lakes. The TNMP service area in the Gulf Coast includes customers in Brazoria, Galveston and Matagorda counties. TNMP customers with Internet access can view updated outage information by visiting http://www.tnmp.com/. Or, customers can contact TNMP by calling its toll free customer service line, which is (888) 866-7456. Please keep in mind that TNMP customer service agents are experiencing high call volumes, and TNMP requests that this line only be used to report extreme emergencies as a result of hurricane-related outages. TNMP plans to use an experienced crew from the Gulf Coast region and other TNMP crews throughout the state to assist with power restoration efforts. In addition, linemen from Public Service Company of New Mexico plans to join TNMP crews as early as Monday to assist with restoration. Other utilities have also offered to provide mutual assistance if needed, and these crews are currently standing by until TNMP can conduct a comprehensive damage assessment. 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. TNMP's Gulf Coast service area includes Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood, Alvin, La Marque, Angleton, Sweeny, West Columbia, Brazoria, Bailey's Prairie, Hillcrest Village and Holliday Lakes. TNMP customers can view updated outage information online at http://www.tnmp.com/. Customers can also contact TNMP by calling toll free: (888) 866-7456 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080811/PNMRESOURCESLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: TNMP CONTACT: Kevin Fuller, +1-505-241-2181, or Cell, +1-505-250-3618, or Web site: http://www.tnmp.com/

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