State and local officials have reassured Texans the outages are not caused by issues with the state power grid. As ice builds up on power lines, utility poles and tree branches, they may fall down and cause residents to lose power.
At a Jan. 31 news conference, state leaders shared updates about the ongoing winter storm. Pablo Vegas, the CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said over 10,000 megawatts of power-generating reserves would be available throughout the week.
“ERCOT has been preparing for Winter Storm Mara for the last several days, and we have all the resources that we need to ensure reliable operations during this event,” Vegas said. “The ERCOT grid is not expected to have any emergency conditions during this event nor are we expecting to ask for [energy] conservation [by] any Texans.”
Around 6:20 p.m. on Feb. 1, the state power grid had nearly 6,000 megawatts of power available, and power supply was greater than demand. Updated information about grid conditions can be found on ERCOT’s website.
Texans can report power outages by contacting their local utility providers. To report a downed line or fallen tree, officials recommend calling local authorities.
“Most importantly, under no circumstances approach or touch a downed power line,” said Peter Lake, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “These power lines can still be energized and electrified, and they can electrify nearby objects like cars and fences.”
Austin
In Austin, over 163,000 customers were without power at 6:20 p.m. Some outages began as early as 3:10 a.m., according to Austin Energy’s outage map.
On Twitter, Austin Energy shared that some outages may extend through Feb. 2. They encouraged customers to make emergency plans and relocate if needed.
Texans who need to relocate can find information about warming centers in their area and other storm resources through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s website.
According to a news release, Austin Energy has additional staff working and secured help from other utility companies ahead of the storm. But due to the severity of the storm and quantity of outages, power restoration may be slower than normal, and the company is unable to provide estimated repair times.
“It is possible some customers may be without power for 12 to 24 hours,” the release said. “Austin Energy crews are prioritizing power restoration to critical organizations and working to get the greatest number of customers online in the least amount of time.”
Matt Mitchell, Austin Energy’s public information officer, told Community Impact that over 50 crews were working to restore power throughout the city.
Austin Energy customers can report outages by texting OUT to 287846 or calling 512-322-9100.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Over 120,000 Oncor customers were without power at 6:20 p.m. Oncor’s outage map does not include information about when the outages began, but the company provides power restoration times when possible.
“Oncor damage assessment, vegetation management and power restoration personnel are actively responding to outages caused by the ongoing winter storm, with work continuing around the clock,” a news release said. “Oncor has also secured the support of approximately 1,000 utility workers through mutual assistance partnerships with other Texas utilities and neighboring states.”
Oncor asked customers to stay home and avoid driving, unless necessary, to keep the roads clear for power restoration crews and first responders.
Customers can report outages by texting OUT to 66267, calling 888-313-4747, using the MyOncor app or selecting “report an outage” at the top of the outage map.
San Antonio
At 6:20 p.m., nearly 4,000 customers were without power in San Antonio. According to CPS Energy’s outage map, the earliest reported outage occurred before 5 a.m. Feb. 1, but most of the existing outages were reported after noon.
In a news release, CPS Energy reported outages could extend through Feb. 2, as temperatures are not expected to rise until that afternoon. The utility provider urged customers to relocate if experiencing an extended power outage, especially if using important medical equipment.
To report an outage, CPS Energy asks customers to fill out their online form, call 210-353-4357, or click “report an outage” on the outage map. Customers can also call CPS Energy to report downed power lines. In rural areas, residents can call 800-773-3077 for assistance.
