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Good News, Texas: The Power Grid Is Stronger Than it was in 2021.

Bad news, the winter storm is still coming. Find out how to prepare for the 2026 Texas Winter Storm here.

Texas has made substantial grid improvements since 2021:

Updates include:

  • New state‑mandated winterization standards 

  • Thousands of ERCOT inspections

  • Major weatherproofing of gas infrastructure 

  • A huge expansion in battery storage 

  • Better grid monitoring and emergency protocols

Read more about 2026 power grid updates below:  

However, even with the improvements, officials still expect local outages, but NOT a statewide grid failure.  

How to prepare for the 2026 Texas Winter Storm this weekend:

1. Prepare Your Home for Possible Power Outages

  • Have 3 days’ worth of food, water, medications, flashlights & batteries.  

  • Ice on power lines and falling branches may cause outages even with improved grid readiness.   

  • Insulate pipes and seal drafts.  

2. What To Do If the Power Goes Out

  • Be prepared to stay indoors — freezing rain & ice may cause prolonged outages.  

  • Never use generators, charcoal grills, or gas stoves indoors (carbon monoxide danger).

  • Charge phones and portable chargers ahead of time; use county emergency alerts for updates.  

3. Protect Your Tech & Data

  • Expect local outages from ice and extreme cold, even though statewide grid failure is not expected.  

  • Use surge protectors and unplug sensitive equipment if power flickers. 

  • Ensure data backups run before the storm. 

  • Keep devices at safe temperatures, if able, to avoid cold damage. 

  • Pay attention to alerts from government authorities on your phone. 

4. Find Warming Centers & Emergency Resources

  • Cities and counties will open warming centers as temperatures drop.  

  • Share links to local emergency management pages & outage maps. 

  • Encourage residents to sign up for local weather alerts.  

  • Check local warming centers here > Local Warming Centers Map  

5. How Cold Will It Get? (Compared to 2021 Freeze)

  • It won’t be as cold as the 2021 teens but expect 20s° temperatures and icy conditions, still enough to stress pipes and power lines.  

  • Dallas could stay below freezing for up to 80 hours.  

6. What Texans Need to Know About This Weekend’s Freeze

  • Temperatures drop sharply late Saturday into Sunday with freezing rain, sleet & dangerous wind chills.  

  • Parts of Texas, especially North & Central regions, may see ice capable of causing localized outages.  

  • Gov. Abbott has issued a disaster declaration for 130+ counties.  

Sources, Links for Updates, and Local News:

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