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Texas Activates Emergency Resources, Prepares Grid for Arctic Blast

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Texas Braces for Arctic Blast: State and Grid Prepare for Extreme Cold

Texas is preparing for an arctic cold front forecast to bring extremely cold temperatures, wind chills, and potential wintry precipitation from Thursday through early next week. Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources, while the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reports that the state’s electrical grid is prepared to meet anticipated demand.

This comprehensive preparation follows Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, which resulted in widespread power outages and fatalities.

Weather Forecast and Regional Impacts

The National Weather Service predicts an arctic cold front will affect Texas through early next week, bringing extremely cold temperatures and wind chills. A storm system is also forecast, with potential for freezing rain, sleet, and snow, which could lead to hazardous travel conditions and infrastructure impacts into the weekend.

Areas at highest risk of wintry weather include northwestern, northern, and northeastern Texas. Freezing rain and sleet are more likely in western, central, south-central, eastern, and southeastern Texas. Deep south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley are expected to experience cold rain.

State-Level Emergency Response: A Unified Front

Governor Abbott has activated state emergency response resources, emphasizing the state's intent to ensure necessary resources are available to communities. He urged Texans to monitor weather conditions, check road conditions before traveling, and adhere to guidance from state and local officials.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has activated several state agencies and resources, collaborating with local partners to ensure a robust response.

Key Agencies Activated:

  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): Deploying crews and equipment for pre-treating and treating roadways, and managing traffic control and road closures. TxDOT began treating roadways on Wednesday.
  • TDEM: Deploying the State of Texas Incident Management Team and collaborating with local partners to update warming center maps.
  • Texas National Guard: Providing high-profile vehicles and personnel to assist stranded motorists.
  • Texas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System): Supplying All-Hazard Strike Teams, including firefighters, engines, and equipment for snow/ice clearance.
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Deploying Game Wardens to support local law enforcement and assist stranded motorists with high-profile vehicles.
  • Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC): Monitoring power outages and coordinating with utility providers.
  • Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring the state’s natural gas supply and communicating with the oil and gas industry.
  • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ): Monitoring air, water, and wastewater systems.
  • Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS): Deploying Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol roadways.
  • Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Public Works Response Team): Providing personnel to assist with public works needs.
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Deploying Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents.
  • Texas Department of State Health Services (Emergency Medical Task Force): Providing winter and severe weather packages, including medics and ambulances.
  • Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC): Supplying personnel to offer information on services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network.
  • Texas Education Agency (TEA): Monitoring school district needs across the state.
  • Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR): Monitoring technology infrastructure.

Power Grid Status and Enhancements

ERCOT, which manages the state's electrical grid, has reported that the grid is in a better condition than during the February 2021 storm.

ERCOT projects sufficient power generation to meet demand throughout the upcoming weekend.

Key improvements cited include increased power generation from various sources, including solar panels, wind turbines, and thousands of megawatts of battery storage. Texas lawmakers also mandated cold weather hardening for natural gas plants, which constitute over half of the state's power generation.

Following Winter Storm Uri, the Texas Legislature directed the Railroad Commission of Texas to enhance natural gas facility preparedness for weather emergencies. This led to the creation of the Critical Infrastructure Division, which identifies key natural gas facilities as critical and ensures their readiness, granting them power priority during outages. The agency inspected over 7,400 natural gas facilities last year.

Officials do not anticipate widespread power outages, though local disruptions remain possible if ice accumulation or falling tree branches affect power lines.

Utility and Local Preparations Underway

Electric utilities are implementing emergency operations plans, mobilizing staff, verifying weatherization measures, and securing fuel and equipment, according to the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. Ice accumulation poses a risk to power lines, potentially causing breakage or bringing down utility poles due to added weight. Efforts are underway to bury lines in high-risk areas, though broader implementation is estimated to be costly.

Austin Energy does not anticipate widespread power outages but continues to monitor and prepare. In Dallas, facilities at Fair Park will open as shelters for the homeless, and additional warming centers equipped with backup power, a post-Uri improvement, are planned if widespread outages occur.

Public Advisories and Essential Resources

Texans are advised to stay informed about weather conditions, check road conditions before any essential travel, and adhere to instructions from local officials.

Additional resources include:

  • DriveTexas.org: For real-time road conditions.
  • TexasReady.gov: For winter weather safety tips.
  • tdem.texas.gov/warm: For updated warming center maps.
  • tdem.texas.gov/prepare: For general preparedness information.

Governor Abbott is scheduled to hold a news conference on Thursday with ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas and various state officials to provide further updates on preparations.