Update Feb. 3: Oncor has secured additional mutual assistance support and now has nearly 2,000 workers from other Texas utilities and neighboring states, in addition to our personnel and contractors actively engaged in restoration efforts. 

DALLAS (February 1, 2023) – Oncor damage assessment, vegetation management and power restoration personnel are actively responding to outages caused by the ongoing winter storm, with work continuing around the clock. Oncor has also secured the support of approximately 1,000 utility workers through mutual assistance partnerships with other Texas utilities and neighboring states.

Communities in Oncor’s eastern, northeastern and southern regions, including Tyler, Sulphur Springs and Taylor, have so far experienced the greatest impacts, as multiple bands of freezing rain have resulted in significant ice accumulation on trees and powerlines. Ice can increase the weight of tree branches up to 30 times, leading to sagging or broken braches impacting lines.

Additional bands of winter precipitation are expected across Oncor’s service area through Thursday, so new outage events are possible in these areas and others. Resources and personnel are closely monitoring weather conditions and will continue to respond as outages occur.

Responding personnel must travel across extremely hazardous and icy road conditions, which may impact response times. Customers are encouraged to not travel unless necessary to help keep roadways clear for restoration personnel and other first responders. Crews are experienced working in freezing temperatures and remain focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible.

Customers can report outages and receive updates by registering for MyOncor text alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, downloading the MyOncor App and following Oncor on Facebook and Twitter, or by calling 888.313.4747. If you see a downed power line, stay away, keep people away and call 911 immediately.

Safety for employees and the public remains Oncor’s number one priority. Customers are encouraged to stay weather aware and be cautious on roadways. Should anyone see a downed power line, please stay away, keep pets and others away and call 911 immediately.

Additionally, while prioritized during power restoration events, critical care designations do not guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, especially during severe weather. Customers who rely on electricity for life-saving medical devices should have a plan in place in case of power outages. 

Local, individual and family resources can also be found on the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)’s January Winter Storm 2023 webpage here. Information on local warming centers can also be found on TDEM’s website at TDEM.Texas.gov/warm.

ERCOT, the governing body that oversees the power system for much of Texas, is closely monitoring conditions. Oncor will follow ERCOT’s direction and echo updates to customers. It is important to remember that Oncor is a transmission and distribution company, or “the poles and wires company” that delivers electricity to more than 10 million Texans. Oncor does not own or operate power generation facilities, or sell, purchase or offer electricity retail services.