Texas winter storm: Power outages trend downward as ERCOT grid remains stable
Power outages in Texas started spiking Saturday as a winter storm packing ice, snow, sleet and bitter cold swept through the state. After peaking above 150,000 on Sunday, the number of outages has been trending downward.
The bulk of the outages have been in eastern Texas, where an ice storm has caused significant impacts.
Despite the outages being reported across the state, the grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has remained stable with sufficient power reserves.
(FOX Weather)
Where are the outages?
According to findenergy.com, power outages are impacting customers in east Texas the most. Shelby and Nacogdoches counties have been experiencing the biggest impact from power outages during the storm, with thousands of customers in the dark in each county as of Monday afternoon.
By the numbers:
Counties with the highest number of power outages:
As of 10:00 p.m. Monday, findenergy.com is reporting these counties have the highest number of power outages:
- Shelby County — 6,538
- Nacogdoches County - 5,407
- Cherokee County — 2,873
- Panola County - 2,069
- Red River County - 2,029
Cherokee, Shelby and Nacogdoches Counties, and surrounding areas are the most impacted by ice and power outages in the Oncor service area. Oncor has redirected personnel from less impacted locations across our service area to the East Texas region to further support restoration.
Power outages by utility company:
As of 10:00 p.m. Monday, findenergy.com is reporting that these utility companies are reporting the highest number of power outages:
- Deep East Texas Electric - 12,439
- Oncor Electric — 3,939
- Southwestern Electric Power Company — 4,324
- Rusk County Electric Cooperative — 5,834
- Cherokee County Electric - 1,855
How do I report a power outage?
Oncor
You can report a power outage or check the status of a previously reported power outage by using Oncor's online reporting tool. You can also call them at 888-313-4747. If you have signed up for My Oncor Alerts, text OUT to 66267 (ONCOR).
To register for My Oncor Alerts, text REG to 66267. To stop receiving My Oncor Text Alerts, text STOP to 66267.
Austin Energy
Austin Energy has an online outage map you can view here.
The map shows where outages are, how many customers are affected and estimated restoration times. The map updates every 10 minutes.
Austin Energy says you have three ways to report an outage:
- Online
- By text to 287846: Text OUT to report an outage, STAT to receive updates, PAUSE to pause texts temporarily, STOP to opt out and HELP to see all available options
- By phone at 512-494-9400
If you sign up for their Outage Alerts, you can report an outage and receive Outage Alerts and updates via text message.
To register, you can text REG to 287846 and provide your zip code or account number, or through your Power Outage Alert Preferences center in your online account.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative
PEC has an online outage map you can view here.
The map shows where outages are, how many customers are affected and estimated restoration times. The map updates every 10 minutes.
You can report outages to PEC by:
- Calling 888-883-3379
- Texting OUTAGE to 25022
- Reporting it through their online form with your account number/phone number and zip code
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
Bluebonnet has an online outage map you can view here.
The map shows where outages are, how many customers are affected and how long the outage has been happening. You can also sort by current or restored outages.
You can report an outage to Bluebonnet by:
- Calling 800-949-4414
- Texting OUT, STATUS, HELP, STOP or BBOUTAGE to 44141
- Using the MyBluebonnet app for iOS or Android
- Logging in to your account online
- Reporting it through their online form with your meter number or phone number associated with your account
Centerpoint Energy
Centerpoint has an online outage map that can be viewed here.
Customers can report an outage through the company's website with their phone or meter number and house number.
Entergy
Entergy offers an online outage map that can be viewed here.
Customers can report outages through their mobile app or online.
How to report a downed power line
Never approach, touch, or attempt to move a downed power line or any object in contact with a power line. Contact with power lines can cause serious injury or even death.
If you see a downed power line:
- Leave the area immediately and call 911. The 911 operator will contact the provider directly and manage the situation until their personnel arrive.
- Stay at least 35 feet away while you report it.
What is the status of the ERCOT grid?
ERCOT has a live dashboard that offers information on a variety of power-related resources including current demand, current power reserves and the condition of the grid.
As of Saturday morning, the current grid conditions are operating under green, or normal conditions, meaning there is enough power to meet the current demand.
The power grid operator said earlier this week that expect ample supply to meet power demands this winter. ERCOT issued a Weather Watch for January 24 through 27 due to the incoming weather.
Yellow indicates voluntary power conservation when demand is higher and reserves are lower.
Orange indicates that the grid has the potential to enter emergency operations.
What is an ERCOT Weather Watch?
ERCOT expects stable power grid ahead of 2026 winter storm
ERCOT says power outages may occur during the 2026 winter storm in North Texas, but they expect it to be stable unlike what happened in 2021. FOX 4's Shaun Rabb has more.
Dig deeper:
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an advance notification that is between three and five days ahead of forecasted significant weather with higher electrical demand and a possibility for lower reserves.
What you can do:
Grid conditions are expected to be normal, and there is no current expectation of an energy emergency, but ERCOT officials tell Texans that reducing electricity use, during peak demand times, can help save and lower demand on the grid.
What happens if ERCOT goes into emergency mode?
Emergency level 1
A level one emergency is triggered when power reserves fall below 2,500 megawatts and are expected to remain below that threshold for 30 minutes. No controlled outages are expected at level one.
Emergency level 2
Emergency level two is initiated when power reserves fall below 2,000 megawatts and are expected to remain below for 30 minutes. Controlled outages are not expected at this level, but are possible.
Emergency level 3
Emergency level three is when reserves fall below 1,500 megawatts and are expected to remain below for 30 minutes. Under these conditions, controlled outages are happening across residential, commercial and industrial customers.
More information about what happens when ERCOT enters emergency mode can be found here.
The Source: Information in this article comes from findenergy.com. Information on ERCOT's power grid comes from ERCOT. Information on reporting outages comes from individual power providers.