ERCOT could be wrong about Texas blackouts this summer. How can you prepare for the worst?

Brayden Garcia
·2 min read
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It has been a hot summer for North Texas thus far, with multiple days of triple digit temperatures.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, issued a weather watch earlier this week for high temperatures and power grid demand. As of Thursday afternoon, ERCOT says the grid is operating at normal conditions.

In its seasonal assessment, ERCOT concluded that the grid has enough generation capacity to avoid rolling blackouts between June and September. However, many Texans are still reeling from the February 2021 ice storm when the power grid faltered.

Even though ERCOT says there’s plenty of energy to avoid rolling blackouts this summer, here are a few tips if you lose power this summer:

What to do before the power goes out

The Red Cross has laid a few things to have around the house before an outage ever occurs:

  • Flashlight with extra batteries, or a wind-up version.

  • A battery powered or wind-up radio.

  • Protect electric appliances with a surge-protecting power bar.

Also, know where the closest cooling centers are located. Tarrant County has several open now:

  • Arlington Corps Community Center — 712 W. Abram St.

  • J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center — 1855 E. Lancaster Ave.

  • Como Community Center — 4600 Horne St.

  • Northside Community Center — 1800 NW 18th St.

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center — 5565 Truman Drive

While not official cooling centers, public libraries welcome anyone looking to escape the heat. A list of Fort Worth libraries can be found here. A list of Arlington public libraries can be found here.

What to do after the power goes out

In the event of a power outage, here’s what to do:

  • Check whether the outage is in your home only, or if its the rest of the street.

  • Report the power outage to your provider.

  • Turn off all appliances, electronic equipment and thermostats to prevent damage from a power surge, when the lights come turn back on.

  • Don’t open the fridge or freezer unless its an emergency. A fridge an keep food cold for up to four hours, while a freezer can stay effective from 24 to 48 hours.

  • Never use home generators or grilling equipment indoors, since they give off carbon monoxide.

  • Dress in light, loose and cool-feeling clothes.

What to do after losing power

Once the power comes back on, there’s a few things to check-off:

  • Give electrical systems a chance to stabilize before plugging back in appliances. Start with the thermostat, then fridge or freezer and then smaller tools or appliances.

  • Check for any signs of food spoilage in the fridge or freezer.

  • If there are any damaged power lines, call 911 to report it.