Medina EC is monitoring weather across our service area. The National Weather Service predicts a strong cold front across the state on Wednesday, February 2, which will bring freezing temperatures and the potential for wintry mix and icing impacts through at least Sunday, February 6.
Our crews and staff are ready to respond if there are outages from ice accumulating on lines or trees, heavy winds or any other causes. In the event of large or extended power outages, we will post updates on our website under "Latest News" and our Facebook page. You can also track any issues crews are facing and view our outage map at MedinaEC.org/Outages.
OUTAGE REPORTING
Please do not email or send messages through Facebook to report outages. In order to be logged in our outage reporting system and properly tracked by crews, outages must be reported by the methods above. Facebook and email do not link to these systems. Even if your neighbors have reported the outage, please report your meter as also being out. This helps crews identify the cause and scale of the outage and aids them in the restoration process.
We are hopeful that all preparation will be unnecessary, but we are preparing for the possibility of extended outages based on weather predictions. We also recognize that in the event of outages, it could take crews longer to respond depending on road conditions.
ERCOT & GRID CONDITIONS
At this time, ERCOT is not requesting any conservation efforts. For the most current information on the electric grid, download the ERCOT app (Google Play or App Store) and enable push notifications for alerts. Read their latest news releases on their website.
Sign up for grid text notifications from Medina EC by texting ERCOT to 1-855-429-1119; These will come from Medina EC as able based on the information we have been provided.
LIFE SUPPORT REGISTRY
If someone in your home depends on an electrically operated health aid, sign up for Medina EC's Life Support Registry. To sign up for the registry, you must complete the form on our website and submit a physician's directive prescription. Please note, Medina EC's Life Support Registry does not guarantee there will be no power interruptions. Power outages happen for many reasons that may be out of the cooperative's control.
STAY SAFE & WARM
- Plan to use a safe alternative heating source, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove during a power outage. Consider having extra blankets, pillows and warm clothes on hand to help you stay warm. Have a plan to keep your pets and livestock warm and out of the cold as much as possible.
- The CDC recommends keeping several days’ supply of food handy that doesn’t need to be cooked. This food includes nonperishable packaged or canned foods, juices, and snack foods. The CDC also recommends five gallons of water per person per day also be available. Remember to have food and water ready and available for any pets.
- Keep a fully charged power bank on hand to keep your phone and devices charged. Also consider purchasing a battery-operated radio to stay informed.
- When an outage occurs, it usually means power lines are down. If you must travel during a winter storm, take a survival kit and do not travel alone. Stay as far away from downed power lines as possible.
- Additional items to have in case of an emergency or power outage are toiletries and hygiene items, flashlights and extra batteries, and a list of emergency phone numbers and account numbers.
- User portable generators safely and only plug appliances directly into the outlet provided on the generator. Start the generator before you plug in appliances and always run it in a well-ventilated area outside of your home.
