Here’s what do if you woke up without power Saturday

Power outages can be common in the spring, when severe thunderstorms are more likely to hit North Texas more often. Severe storms come with risks of power outages that can last for several days.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth said in an X post in 2021 that if the power is shut off, people should take the following precautions to keep safe and stay warm:

• Close blinds and curtains to keep in some heat.
• Close off rooms to avoid losing heat.
• Stuff towels in cracks under doors.
• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing,
• Eat and drink food to provide energy to warm the body, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Do not operate a generator inside the home. If you must use one, keep it at least 30 feet from your home.

Preparing for an outage beforehand

It’s better to be prepared for a power outage ahead of time, than not at all. NWS Fort Worth provided some tips on ways to prepare your home before the outage happens:

• Have flashlights easily accessible with extra batteries
• Prepare a generator, if able, but never use it indoors.
• Ensure the home is adequately warmed and charge electronic devices ahead of time.
• Have lots of warm blankets and jackets for when it starts getting cold.
• Have a heat source, such as a fireplace or standalone indoor heater, prepared for use, if possible.

How do I report an outage?

Customers without power may report outages by ing Oncor at 888-313-4747 or texting OUT to 66267 if they are ed in My Oncor Alerts. Outage statuses can also be checked online through Oncor’s Check Outage Status page.