PEC warning of potential outages ahead of winter storm
A Pedernales Electric Cooperative crew works to restore power in Dripping Springs after a tree fell on transmission lines during a previous ice storm. Courtesy photo
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) is closely monitoring weather conditions and preparing crews and resources ahead of an arctic front currently forecasted to move into the Texas Hill Country this Friday Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 25.
The National Weather Service is predicting below-freezing temperatures beginning Friday evening, with the potential for precipitation and icy conditions lasting through Sunday across PEC’s service area.
“We are following our winter preparedness plan and drill regularly for a range of weather events,” said Nathan Fulmer, PEC’s Chief Operations Officer of Distribution. “At this time, we’re closely monitoring the weather forecast and assessing our staffing and resources to ensure our crews are ready to respond to outages as safely and as quickly as possible.”
PEC’s preparations include staging additional crews, ensuring vehicles are winter-ready, stocking facilities with supplies and portable heaters, coordinating with suppliers to maintain adequate reserves, and increasing call center staffing as conditions warrant.
PEC encourages members to prepare for the possibility of power outages. Outages can be reported by texting “outage” to 25022 from the mobile number associated with a PEC account, online at myPEC.com/outage, through the SmartHub app, or by calling the automated outage reporting line at 888-883-3379.
To stay warm and safe during extreme cold, members are advised to:
- Prepare their homes by dripping faucets to prevent frozen pipes and insulating outdoor faucets.
- Charge cell phones and assemble emergency kits with food, water, medications, blankets, batteries, and chargers for both people and pets.
- Review emergency plans, particularly for extended outages. PEC reminds members it cannot guarantee uninterrupted power and encourages plans for backup power or alternative shelter if needed.
A statewide list of warming centers is available on the Texas Department of Emergency Management website. Residents are also urged to check on neighbors, especially elderly individuals and those living alone.
PEC will continue to provide updates through its social media channels and at mypec.com. Additional preparedness resources are available at mypec.com/prep, while outage maps and reporting tools can be found at mypec.com/outage.