In 2022, Texas residents experienced 82 power outages. That’s second most in the entire country, only less than California. When you look at the number of people affected, Texas residents come out on top for the frustrating win of most people affected overall in the country.
Generally, the outages happen in the summer due to storms and hurricanes. However, it can also happen in the winter with a deep freeze as we all saw in the past few years. You can’t always predict when a power outage is coming, but you can be prepared by creating an emergency kit, and by following these steps when an outage hits.
Step 1
First thing’s first, call your local utility company to report the outage. In Texas’ deregulated market, that’ll be your Transmission/Distribution Service Provider (TDSP). If you haven’t already checked that it’s not just a flipped breaker, or that everyone else’s house around yours is without power too, your TDSP will be able to confirm there’s a power outage and possibly even give you an idea of when power might be back on.
You can find your TDSP’s contact number here:
American Electric Power (AEP) Central Texas: (877) 373-4858
American Electric Power (AEP) North Texas: (877) 373-4858
CenterPoint Energy: (800) 752-8036
Oncor: (888) 313-4747
Texas New Mexico Power (TNMP): (888) 866-7456
Step 2
After you’ve called and confirmed the outage, go through your house and unplug your appliances and devices. Find whatever you may have been using with power before it went out and disconnect the power source. This will guard your devices against brownouts, which can damage your electronics by making them overheat or burn out. Additionally when the power comes back on, there could be a surge that might overwhelm your things and cause them to break. Everything coming back on all at once could trip a breaker, and then bam, you’re out of power again.
Step 3
Gather your lighting sources. Hopefully you have a household plan for power outages that includes keeping batteries and phones charged so you can use flashlights if you need to. Gather those fully charged devices now. If it’s still light out or you don’t plan to leave the room you’re in, keep flashlights powered off so you can conserve the battery life.
At this point, some of you may have grabbed some candles. Practice caution, open flame increases the possibility of a fire in your home. If you absolutely have to use candles, use them as a last resort and practice caution by keeping the candle secure and keep your eye on it.
Step 4
Don’t open your fridge or freezer unless you absolutely have to! Only crack it open to quickly grab what you need and close it again. Your fridge will keep food at a safe temperature for about four hours, and your freezer will stay frozen for about two days. That’s assuming they stay completely closed the whole time. Every time you open them, you’re letting in warmer air that will make your food spoil quicker. If you are able to prepare before a possible power outage like in a storm, stock up on nonperishable foods that don’t require refrigeration. If the weather isn’t extreme, consider going out with your family to grab a meal while waiting for electricity to return.
Step 5
Consider how you’re going to keep an acceptable temperature in your home. If it’s during the winter months and you need to stay warm, pick a room for everyone (including the pets) to stay in, and cover all the windows and doors with blankets or quilts to keep drafts out. If there’s a fireplace in that room, even better! Start a fire and toast some marshmallows. During the day, uncover windows that get the most sun, and then cover them up again at nightfall.
If its the opposite and you need to find a way to stay cool in your home during a power outage, head to the lowest level of your home. Heat rises, and basements are pretty well insulated from the weather — so if you have one, go down there. Otherwise, make sure everyone at home is wearing light clothing, like tank tops and shorts, or even bathing suits if it gets too hot. If you have some ice, you can make cold compresses to hold against your wrists, neck, or lower back to cool you down.
It is possible you may need to evacuate your home if the temperature gets unbearable. You’ll need to find someone's home to stay at, or find the nearest shelter that’s accepting people affected by the outage. Remember if you have pets, not all shelters allow pets. Check in with where you’re planning to go before you leave.
Bonus Tip for Generator Owners
Use good generator practices. If you have a generator for backup power when you experience an outage, that’s great! It’s important to make sure you’re using it safely. Don’t use a portable generator indoors, ever, and keep both the generator and the fuel outside. You’ll want to be sure your carbon monoxide detectors work as well, since generators can leak the deadly gas. Only use heavy-duty extension cords to connect the generator directly to your appliances, and keep the generator itself dry and elevated so there’s no chance of it being affected by flooding. When the generator runs out of fuel, let it cool down completely before you refuel it.
What to Do When the Power Comes Back
Finally! The power is back and you made it through an outage. Now you can start turning off any flashlights you were using. If you have any lit candles, blow them out and put them away. Replug everything you unplugged, and check your fridge to make sure nothing spoiled. If any food has gone below 40 degrees, throw it away. It’s not worth the risk. When you’re plugging everything back in, avoid doing it all at once. Give it some time before each one so you don’t overwhelm the power grid.
Stay Prepared and Stay Safe
While Texas may be the second-most affected state by power outages, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. At OnPoint Energy, it is our mission to ensure that our customers have a seamless experience and are prepared when these situations occur. With these tips, you will be prepared to handle any outage and remain safe until the power returns.