TNMP, a provider of electrical transmission and distribution services to approximately 115,000 customers in the Gulf Coast region, continues to assess damage caused by Hurricane Ike and restore power to more of its customers in the Gulf Coast region of Texas.

As of this morning, TNMP estimates it has successfully restored power to more than 36,000 customers, meaning that about 32 percent of TNMP's residential and business customers now have power. Immediately following Hurricane Ike, 100 percent of the company's Gulf Coast customers were without power.

TNMP's initial focus has been on restoring service to vital services such as water pumping stations and sewer treatment facilities.

"In the wake of Hurricane Ike, TNMP employees have been working diligently to assess damage and restore power to customers in our service area," said Neal Walker, TNMP vice president of Texas operations. "Every available TNMP employee is working to restore power to customers, and with mutual assistance teams arriving in the area today and tomorrow, we anticipate having nearly 700 crew members on the ground with the purpose of restoring power to communities. This is the largest restoration team TNMP has ever assembled, and we sincerely appreciate the patience of our customers as we work to get power back on as quickly and safely as we can."

TNMP estimates that approximately 79,000 Gulf Coast customers remain without power. This estimate included customers in Texas City, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood, Alvin, La Marque, Angleton, Sweeny, West Columbia, Brazoria, Bailey's Prairie, Hillcrest Village and Holiday Lakes. The TNMP service area in the Gulf Coast includes customers in Brazoria, Galveston and Matagorda counties.

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 Holiday Lakes.