Texas Hurricane and Electricity Outage Guide

Written by Frank Eakin

Hurricanes can have very unpredictable paths, and no matter where they land, they can cause chaos. That’s why it’s recommended to have hurricane checklists so you can prep when threatening storms move toward the Gulf or mid-Atlantic coasts.

There are steps you can take for safety whether you’re staying put or your’e evacuating. Keep in mind that not everyone is capable of getting out of the path of the hurricane. And even if your area isn’t in the hurricane’s direct path, it may still suffer damage from storms that form off the edge of the weather event.

Preparation and knowledge are both key to getting through the worst of the hurricane and keeping your family safe.

Planning Ahead

Once weather forecasters note the formation of a hurricane, the first response for many is to buy basic necessities.

Avoid shortages by stocking up on non-perishable food items when hurricane season starts, and purchase items needed to secure your home. You should also plan multiple escape routes, just in case the main route is blocked.

Below are checklists for preparing the inside and outside of your home.

Preparing the outside of the home

  • Install hurricane shutters for the windows or board them up with plywood.
  • Have the roof inspected for loose shingles and flashing to prevent leaks.
  • Install power outage lights that run off batteries.
  • Clear the gutters of debris.
  • Drain swimming pools 6 to 12 inches, but don’t drain entirely.
  • Bring in lawn furniture, grills, outdoor decor, and any other items that could get blown away by high winds.
  • Disconnect propane tanks and store them in the house or garage.
  • Brace garage doors with two-by-fours bolted to the garage door frame.
  • Make sure that all entry doors are rated to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Readying the inside of the home

  • Place valuables up high to protect them from potential water damage.
  • Close and lock windows, even if they’re boarded up or shuttered.
  • Clean the bathtub and fill with water or use a tub liner designed to hold water.
  • Fill empty plastic jugs with drinking water.
  • Set the temperature on the freezer and refrigerator as low as they’ll go.
  • Fill and freeze plastic jugs, placing them in the refrigerator and freezer to keep them cold longer.
  • Make ice cubes and put them in a cooler when the power goes out.
  • Buy freezer gel packs to supplement the ice cubes.
  • Designate a safe room and keep all necessary supplies in the room along with a power outage kit.
  • Keep crates and leashes at the ready for pets.

Dealing With a Power Outage

Plan for the electricity to go out during a hurricane, even if your area isn’t directly affected by it.

Power sub-stations can get wiped out by high winds, and those that aren’t as affected can be shut down without notice as a safety precaution. Make sure to have energy outage supplies at the ready to stay connected to the outside world and have visibility inside the home.

Have the following items on-hand in your kit:

  • Fresh batteries
  • Clearly labeled prescription drugs
  • Matches kept in either a dry location or in Ziploc bags
  • Candles or camping lanterns that run on fuel or batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Tools and supplies for emergency repairs around the home
  • A NOAA weather radio powered by a crank
  • Flashlights

Listen for local electric outage alerts on the radio or your smartphone to find out what areas are affected and the expected time for power to be returned to homes.

If you’re asking yourself, “The power is out, who do I call?”, we suggest contacting the non-emergency line for your area to report the electricity outage or ask for the phone number to the electric company.

Protecting Food Supply During & After a Hurricane

The increased likelihood of an energy outage after a hurricane means that food goes bad quickly because there’s no climate control in the home.

It’s best to stock up on non-perishables and foods that are easily prepared without power.

The refrigerator can protect food for at least four hours after the power goes out, but further steps need to be taken to protect the food.

  • Cook and consume perishables first when possible.
  • Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer unless necessary to keep them cold longer.
  • Throw out foods that are at risk of going bad quickly without refrigeration.
  • Freeze foods prior to the hurricane that can be safely thawed out later.
  • Put foods on high shelves to keep them safe from floodwaters.
  • Keep bottled water on hand.
  • Buy dry ice if possible.
  • Unplug all appliances, electronic devices, and equipment.

Follow the one gallon of water per person rule of thumb when determining how much water to have on hand.

Put food into coolers with ice packs if the electricity stays off for more than half a day. If the home floods, throw out all food contaminated by floodwater.

Preparing for a Long-Term Power Outage

A power outage can last for days, sometimes weeks, if the damage from a hurricane is severe enough.

Staying home during a long local power outage can be uncomfortable, but it may make more sense to stay put than to leave in some cases.

  • If using a generator, make sure the exhaust is vented away from the home.
  • Cook food on a gas grill if one is available.
  • Use the emergency release on the garage door for in-and-out access.
  • Keep blinds, shades, and curtains closed during the day to keep the home cool.
  • Only leave the home after crews have had enough time to clear roadways.

Preparing for a hurricane can make or break your ability to tolerate what comes afterward, especially if the electricity goes out for an extended period of time. Always practice safety first during and after a hurricane.

Below are contact numbers for Texas utilities in the event of a power outage following a hurricane in your area.

Company Phone Number
AEP Texas 866-223-8508
CenterPoint Energy 800-332-7143
El Paso Electric 915-877-3400
Entergy 800-968-8243
Oncor 888-313-4747
SPS/XCEL 800-895-1999
SWEPCO East Texas
North Texas – Panhandle
888-218-3919
866-223-8508
TNMP 888-866-7456
Austin Energy 512-322-9100
Bryan Texas Utilities 979-822-3777
City of College Station 855-528-4278
CPS Energy 210-353-4357
Denton Municipal Electric 940-349-7000
Lubbock Power & Light 806-775-2509
Bandera EC 866-226-3372
Bluebonnet 800-949-4414
Bowie-Cass EC 877-707-2232
CoServ 844-330-0762
Grayson Collin EC 903-482-7111
Guadalupe Valley EC 800-223-4832
Houston County EC 800-970-4232
Magic Valley EC 866-225-5683
Medina EC 866-632-3532
Mid-South Synergy 888-525-6677
Navasota Valley EC 800-443-9462
Nueces EC 800-632-9288
Pedernales 888-883-3379
Rio Grande EC 800-749-1509
Rusk County EC 903-657-4571
Sam Houston EC 888-444-1207
San Bernard EC 800-364-3171
San Patricio EC 888-740-2220
South Plains EC 888-741-0111
Tri-County EC 800-367-8232
Trinity Valley EC 800-967-9324
Upshur Rural EC 866-804-1674
Wharton County 800-460-6271
Wood County EC 866-415-2951

Note that the overall electricity rates charged by your electric company can sometimes increase following major storm damage to utility lines and other infrastructure, when a state’s Public Service Commission (or Public Utility Commission) agrees to special charges by transmission utility companies to recover their cost.

The price of energy charged by the light company should not change if you’re in a fixed rate contract, but the electricity provider will pass along the costs of the transmission and distribution utility company.

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